Google: The World’s First

Information Utility? The idea of information utilities came to naught in the 70s and 80s, but the world wide web, the Internet, mobile access, and a plethora of access devices have now made information utilities within reach. Google’s business model, IT infrastructure, and innovation strategies have created the capabilities needed for Google to become the world’s first global information utility. But, the difficulty of monetizing utility services and concerns about privacy, which could bring government regulation, might stymie Google’s growth plans. DOI 10.1007/s12599-008-0011-