Entrepreneurs as well as seasoned business leaders are struggling to innovate and stay ahead of change in the age of decentralization. What separates the companies that get disrupted from the ones that thrive when faced with decentralization? What tactics can be deployed to decentralize large monolithic organizations? Drawing on their experience as researchers and tech entrepreneurs, Professors Calcaterra and Kaal show how to
- Learn to embrace the change that comes with decentralization
- Evolve technology, communication, and culture as the business encounters decentralization
- Use best practices to maintain profitability in the emerging environments of decentralization across industries
- Combine responsibility with velocity to leverage the advantages of decentralization for the common good
The book examines the core infrastructure elements that are needed before the first genuinely decentralized transaction can happen including a legal environment, underwriting, a truly decentralized blockchain that can overcome the blockchain trilemma (decentralization, scaling, security), and efficient governance of blockchains. Decentralization is essential reading for businesses seeking to win in an increasingly decentralized world where adaptation speed is the competitive advantage that matters most.
Introduction
Part I: What is Decentralization?
Decentralization is Eating (and Saving) the World
Types of Decentralization
Three Basics of Decentralization
Five Stages of Decentralization
Three Key Techniques of Decentralization
Part II: The Brave New World of Decentralization
Commerce Disruptions
Societal Innovations
Leapfrogging
Decentralization beyond High Tech
Decentralization of Large Organizations
When Should I Start Decentralizing?
Can I Choose not to Decentralize?
Decentralization is Iterative
Decentralization Regions to Watch
Part III: Decentralization Neutralizers
Tribe Characteristics
S-Curve of Centralization
Degrees of Decentralization
Grassroots
Democratic Legitimacy of Code
Governance
Infrastructure Requirements
Defending Against Decentralization
Part IV: Unleashing the Power of Decentralization
How to Increase the Degree of Decentralization
Eight Key Transitions
Decentralized Infrastructure Innovation
Decentralized Smart Contract Business
Decentralized Underwriting - Insurance
Decentralized Governance
Decentralized Legal Environment - Distributed Jurisdiction
Part V: How to Make Money in Decentralization
Historical Evidence: Decentralization Removes Profit Margins
Five Factors that Explain Profit Margin Removal Upon Decentralization
How to Reverse the Trend
Nine Counterintuitive Rules for Making Money in Decentralized Systems
Five Factors of Decentralization that Change Commerce
Part VI: Responsible Decentralization
Responsible Decentralization in Society and Commerce
Framework for Responsible Decentralization
The Response Spectrum
Balancing Responsibility and Velocity as Decentralization Grows
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Appendix A: Disclosures
Appendix B: The Decentralizers
Index
Craig James Calcaterra, Metropolitan State University, Minnesota; Wulf Alexander Kaal, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, USA
