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Stages of System Evolution
Deep Integration
The Deep Integration stage at the top, attening part of the S curve is char-
acterized by rigid internal constraints imposed by a limited set of cost opti-
mizing scenarios. Since the types of elements in the system and the ways
they interact are well understood, there is no reason to invest in exploration
and new application development. At this stage, the majority of instances
of system elements turn into commodities. The system becomes focused on
squeezing out the costs by deploying lean manufacturing methods [92], such
as Six Sigma [93], and reducing innovation-related risks.
For example, by the ...