The future of the web

Over the past dozen years or so, the widespread adoption of the Internet has ushered in truly dramatic changes to many aspects of business. Given the Web's enormous and growing influence, its more important than ever to stay attuned to its continuing evolution. In this special report, noted experts explore a wide range of topics pivotal to the Web's future. In "Beyond Enterprise 2.0;" MIT Sloan's ERIK BRYNJOLFSSON and Harvard's ANDREW P. McAFEE discuss how the coming advances in collaborative technology and capacity will transform companies, citing companies such as Google, CVS and Spanish fashion retailer Zara. In "How Secure Is the Internet?" Akamai's TOM LEIGHTON examines the Internet's persistent and increasingly troubling security flaws. In "3 Critical Issues in Internet Retailing," TIMOTHY M. LASETER (Darden), ELLIOT RABINOVICH (Arizona State), KENNETH K. BOYER (Michigan State) and M. JOHNNY RUNGTUSANATHAM (University of Minnesota) define the tipping points between success and failure as online commerce matures, using a number of examples, including eBags, Amazon. com, Linens 'n Things and 1-800-PetMeds. In addition, a variety of Internet pioneers, experts, participants and observers - such as Howard Rheingold, Bob Metcalfe and Nick Carr - ponder what effect the technology will have on business, culture and society.