Platform competition: Strategic trade‐offs in platform markets
Abstract
Because the literature on platform competition emphasizes the role of network effects, it prescribes rapidly expanding a network of platform users and complementary applications to capture entire markets. We challenge the unconditional logic of a winner‐take‐all ( WTA ) approach by empirically analyzing the dominant strategies used to build and position platform systems in the U.S. video game industry. We show that when platform firms pursue two popular WTA strategies concurrently and with equal intensity (growing the number and variety of applications while also securing a larger fraction of those applications with exclusivity agreements), it diminishes the benefits of each strategy to the point that it lowers platform performance. We also show that a differentiation strategy based on distinctive positioning improves a platform's performance only when a platform system is highly distinctive relative to its rivals. Our results suggest that platform competition is shaped by important strategic trade‐offs and that the WTA approach will not be universally successful . Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Content creators face a 'winner-take-all' situation.
“It also shows that content creators face a ‘winner-take-all’ situation (Cennamo and Santalo 2013, p. 1331; Gawer 2014, p. 1241).”
From Content Creators Between Platform Control and User Autonomy: The Role of Algorithms and Revenue Sharing (2023) · cites this paper as Cennamo and Santalo 2013
Operating at scale is important for OLPs.
“further highlights the importance of operating at scale (Cennamo & Santalo, 2013;Eisenmann et al., 2006).”
From Algorithmic human resource management: Synthesizing developments and cross-disciplinary insights on digital HRM (2021) · cites this paper as Cennamo & Santalo, 2013
Digital platforms usually incorporate new technologies, leading to a competitive advantage.
“Digital platforms usually incorporate new technologies, leading to a competitive advantage (Belleflamme & Peitz, 2019;Belleflamme & Toulemonde, 2009;Cennamo & Santaló, 2013).”
From Digital platform ecosystems in flux: From proprietary digital platforms to wide-spanning ecosystems (2023) · cites this paper as Cennamo & Santaló, 2013
Cites
Multiple regression: testing and interpreting interactions
(1992) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.29-3352 · Cited by 36,644 · see citing works
The Market for "Lemons": Quality Uncertainty and the Market Mechanism
Akerlof, G. A. (1970) · The Quarterly Journal of Economics · doi:10.2307/1879431 · Cited by 23,016 · see citing works
Competitive advantage, creating and sustaining superior performance
Weil, K. E. (1985) · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Cited by 10,284 · see citing works
Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist's Companion
Angrist, J. D., & Pischke, J.-S. (2009) · doi:10.1515/9781400829828 · Cited by 9,467 · see citing works
Testing for Weak Instruments in Linear IV Regression
Stock, J. H., & Yogo, M. (2005) · Identification and Inference for Econometric Models · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511614491.006 · Cited by 7,211 · see citing works
Instrumental Variables Regression with Weak Instruments
Staiger, D., & Stock, J. H. (1997) · Econometrica · doi:10.2307/2171753 · Cited by 7,081 · see citing works
Platform Competition in Two-Sided Markets
Rochet, J.-C., & Tirole, J. (2003) · Journal of the European Economic Association · doi:10.1162/154247603322493212 · Cited by 5,642 · see citing works
Instrumental Variables Regression with Weak Instruments
Staiger, D., & Stock, J. (1994) · doi:10.3386/t0151 · Cited by 5,302 · see citing works
A Survey of Weak Instruments and Weak Identification in Generalized Method of Moments
Stock, J. H., Wright, J. H., & Yogo, M. (2002) · Journal of Business and Economic Statistics · doi:10.1198/073500102288618658 · Cited by 4,151 · see citing works
(2001) · PubMed · Cited by 3,759 · see citing works
Competition in two-sided markets
Armstrong, M. (2006) · The RAND Journal of Economics · doi:10.1111/j.1756-2171.2006.tb00037.x · Cited by 3,315 · see citing works
Monopolistic Competition with Outside Goods
Salop, S. C. (1979) · The Bell Journal of Economics · doi:10.2307/3003323 · Cited by 3,079 · see citing works
Two-sided markets: A progress report
Rochet, J.-C., & Tirole, J. (2006) · The RAND Journal of Economics · doi:10.1111/j.1756-2171.2006.tb00036.x · Cited by 2,994 · see citing works
Systems Competition and Network Effects
Katz, M. L., & Shapiro, C. (1994) · Journal of Economic Perspectives · doi:10.1257/jep.8.2.93 · Cited by 2,646 · see citing works
On Hotelling's "Stability in Competition"
d’Aspremont, C., Gabszewicz, J. J., & Thisse, J.-F. (1979) · Econometrica · doi:10.2307/1911955 · Cited by 1,918 · see citing works
Chicken & Egg: Competition among Intermediation Service Providers
Caillaud, B., & Jullien, B. (2003) · The RAND Journal of Economics · doi:10.2307/1593720 · Cited by 1,799 · see citing works
Competitor Analysis and Interfirm Rivalry: Toward A Theoretical Integration
Chen, M. (1996) · Academy of Management Review · doi:10.5465/amr.1996.9602161567 · Cited by 1,563 · see citing works
Platform Leadership How Intel, Microsoft, and Cisco Drive Industry Innovation
Gawer, A., & Cusumano, M. A. (2002) · Cited by 1,486 · see citing works
Enhanced Routines for Instrumental Variables/Generalized Method of Moments Estimation and Testing
Baum, C. F., Schaffer, M. E., & Stillman, S. (2007) · The Stata Journal Promoting communications on statistics and Stata · doi:10.1177/1536867x0800700402 · Cited by 1,290 · see citing works
Grewal, R., Cote, J. A., & Baumgartner, H. (2004) · Marketing Science · doi:10.1287/mksc.1040.0070 · Cited by 1,228 · see citing works
Bettis, R. A., & Hitt, M. A. (1995) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.4250160915 · Cited by 1,134 · see citing works
Network Externality: An Uncommon Tragedy
Liebowitz, S. J., & Margolis, S. E. (1994) · The Journal of Economic Perspectives · doi:10.1257/jep.8.2.133 · Cited by 1,065 · see citing works
Strategies for Two-Sided Markets
Eisenmann, T. R., PARKER, G. G., & Alstyne, M. V. (2006) · Harvard business review · Cited by 983 · see citing works
Platforms, Markets and Innovation
(2009) · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · doi:10.4337/9781849803311 · Cited by 931 · see citing works
Choosing How to Compete: Strategies and Tactics in Standardization
Besen, S. M., & Farrell, J. P. (1994) · The Journal of Economic Perspectives · doi:10.1257/jep.8.2.117 · Cited by 883 · see citing works
Two-sided Markets, Competitive Bottlenecks and Exclusive Contracts
Armstrong, M., & Wright, J. (2007) · Economic Theory · doi:10.1007/s00199-006-0114-6 · Cited by 690 · see citing works
Boudreau, K. J. (2012) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.1110.0678 · Cited by 676 · see citing works
Schilling, M. A. (2002) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.2307/3069353 · Cited by 663 · see citing works
Risk Ownership in Contract Manufacturing
Ülkü, S., Toktay, L. B., & Yücesan, E. (2007) · Manufacturing & Service Operations Management · doi:10.1287/msom.1060.0141 · Cited by 662 · see citing works
Some Empirical Aspects of Multi-sided Platform Industries
Evans, D. S. (2003) · Review of Network Economics · doi:10.2202/1446-9022.1026 · Cited by 605 · see citing works
How Companies Become Platform Leaders
Gawer, A., & Cusumano, M. A. (2008) · Open Research (University of Surrey) · Cited by 568 · see citing works
Differentiation Versus Low Cost or Differentiation and Low Cost: A Contingency Framework
Hill, C. W. L. (1988) · Academy of Management Review · doi:10.5465/amr.1988.4306957 · Cited by 561 · see citing works
Groysberg, B., McLean, A. N., & Nohria, N. (2006) · PubMed · Cited by 554 · see citing works
Shapiro, C., & Varian, H. R. (1999) · California Management Review · doi:10.2307/41165984 · Cited by 550 · see citing works
Agglomeration effects and performance: a test of the Texas lodging industry
Chung, W. C., & Kalnins, A. T. (2001) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.178 · Cited by 543 · see citing works
Pricing and commitment by two-sided platforms
Hagiu, A. (2006) · The RAND Journal of Economics · doi:10.1111/j.1756-2171.2006.tb00039.x · Cited by 526 · see citing works
Battles for technological dominance: an integrative framework
Suárez, F. F. (2003) · Research Policy · doi:10.1016/j.respol.2003.07.001 · Cited by 499 · see citing works
Network effects and competition: an empirical analysis of the home video game industry
Shankar, V., & Bayus, B. L. (2002) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.296 · Cited by 487 · see citing works
Organizing in the knowledge age: Anticipating the cellular form
Miles, R. E., Snow, C. C., Mathews, J. A., Miles, G., & Coleman, H. J. (1997) · Academy of Management Perspectives · doi:10.5465/ame.1997.9712024836 · Cited by 446 · see citing works
How to Manage Outside Innovation
Boudreau, K. J., & Lakhani, K. R. (2009) · MIT Sloan Management Review · Cited by 443 · see citing works
Vertical Integration and Exclusivity in Platform and Two-Sided Markets
Lee, R. S. (2009) · American Economic Review · doi:10.1257/aer.103.7.2960 · Cited by 441 · see citing works
What have we learned about generic competitive strategy? A meta-analysis
Campbell‐Hunt, C. (2000) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0266(200002)21:2 · Cited by 423 · see citing works
Strategy and industry effects on profitability: evidence from Greece
Spanos, Y. E., Zaralis, G., & Lioukas, S. K. (2003) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.369 · Cited by 407 · see citing works
INDIRECT NETWORK EFFECTS AND THE PRODUCT CYCLE: VIDEO GAMES IN THE U.S., 1994-2002*
Clements, M. T., & Ōhashi, H. (2005) · Journal of Industrial Economics · doi:10.1111/j.1467-6451.2005.00268.x · Cited by 399 · see citing works
A Contingency View of Porter's “Generic Strategies”
Murray, A. I. (1988) · Academy of Management Review · doi:10.5465/amr.1988.4306951 · Cited by 375 · see citing works
Two‐Sided Platforms: Product Variety and Pricing Structures
Hagiu, A. (2009) · Journal of Economics & Management Strategy · doi:10.1111/j.1530-9134.2009.00236.x · Cited by 353 · see citing works
Balancing the Tensions Between Rationalization and Creativity in the Video Games Industry
Tschang, F. T. (2007) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.1070.0299 · Cited by 333 · see citing works
Research on Competitive Dynamics: Recent Accomplishments and Future Challenges
Ketchen, D., Snow, C. C., & Hoover, V. L. (2004) · Journal of Management · doi:10.1016/j.jm.2004.06.002 · Cited by 331 · see citing works
Wade, J. B. (1995) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.4250160920 · Cited by 278 · see citing works
Venkatraman, N. V., & Lee, C.-H. (2004) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/20159628 · Cited by 276 · see citing works
Minimal and maximal product differentiation in Hotelling's duopoly
Economides, N. (1986) · Economics Letters · doi:10.1016/0165-1765(86)90124-2 · Cited by 269 · see citing works
Technological Leapfrogging: Lessons from the U.S. Video Game Console Industry
Schilling, M. A. (2003) · California Management Review · doi:10.2307/41166174 · Cited by 253 · see citing works
Smith, K. W., & Sasaki, M. S. (1979) · Sociological Methods & Research · doi:10.1177/004912417900800102 · Cited by 231 · see citing works
Network Effects Revisited: The Role of Strong Ties in Technology Selection
Suárez, F. F. (2005) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2005.17843947 · Cited by 228 · see citing works
Differentiation versus Low Cost or Differentiation and Low Cost: A Contingency Framework
Hill, C. W. L. (1988) · Academy of Management Review · doi:10.2307/258088 · Cited by 225 · see citing works
Product variety and firm survival in the microcomputer software industry
Cottrell, T., & Nault, B. R. (2004) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.408 · Cited by 221 · see citing works
Organizational Niches and the Dynamics of Organizational Founding
Baum, J. A. C., & Singh, J. V. (1994) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.5.4.483 · Cited by 218 · see citing works
Software exclusivity and the scope of indirect network effects in the U.S. home video game market
Corts, K. S., & Lederman, M. (2009) · International Journal of Industrial Organization · doi:10.1016/j.ijindorg.2008.08.002 · Cited by 218 · see citing works
Tanriverdi̇, H., & Lee, C.-H. (2008) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2008.31767300 · Cited by 207 · see citing works
Hill, C. W. L. (1997) · Academy of Management Perspectives · doi:10.5465/ame.1997.9707132143 · Cited by 204 · see citing works
Strategic purity: A multi‐industry evaluation of pure vs. hybrid business strategies
Thornhill, S., & White, R. E. (2007) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.606 · Cited by 204 · see citing works
Markman, G. D., Gianiodis, P. T., & Buchholtz, A. K. (2009) · Academy of Management Review · doi:10.5465/amr.2009.40632072 · Cited by 185 · see citing works
Feedback-seeking behavior within multinational corporations
Gupta, A. K., Govindarajan, V., & Malhotra, A. (1999) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0266(199903)20:3 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Strategy in Network Industries: A Review and Research Agenda
McIntyre, D. P., & Subramaniam, M. (2009) · Journal of Management · doi:10.1177/0149206309346734 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Swaminathan, A. (2001) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.2307/3069395 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
Reconsideration of the Winner-Take-All Hypothesis: Complex Networks and Local Bias
Lee, E., Lee, J., & Lee, J. (2006) · Management Science · doi:10.1287/mnsc.1060.0571 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
Eisenmann, T. R. (2006) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.567 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Vertical Integration and Exclusivity in Platform and Two-Sided MarketsPreprint
Lee, R. S. (2009) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.1022682 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
With friends like these: the art of managing complementors.
Yoffie, D. B., & Kwak, M. (2006) · PubMed · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Turner, S. F., Mitchell, W., & Bettis, R. A. (2009) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.1090.0486 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Exclusivity in licensing alliances: using hostages to support technology commercialization
Somaya, D., Kim, Y., & VONORTAS, N. S. (2010) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.883 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Re-thinking the network economy: the true forces that drive the digital marketplace
(2003) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.40-3528 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Distance and cosine measures of niche overlap
Sohn, M. (2001) · Social Networks · doi:10.1016/s0378-8733(01)00039-9 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
The commercialization of RISC: Strategies for the creation of dominant designs
Khazam, J., & Mowery, D. C. (1994) · Research Policy · doi:10.1016/0048-7333(94)90028-0 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Hagiu, A., & Yoffie, D. B. (2009) · Harvard business review · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Hamburger Prices and Spatial Econometrics
Kalnins, A. T. (2003) · Journal of Economics & Management Strategy · doi:10.1111/j.1430-9134.2003.00591.x · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Profits and the Internet: Seven Misconceptions
Rangan, S., & Adner, R. (2001) · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Cited by 64 · see citing works
When Does the Winner Take All in Two-Sided Markets?
Sun, M., & Tse, E. T. S. (2007) · Review of Network Economics · doi:10.2202/1446-9022.1108 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Platform-based information goods: The economics of exclusivity
Mantena, R., Sankaranarayanan, R., & Viswanathan, S. (2010) · Decision Support Systems · doi:10.1016/j.dss.2010.07.004 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
MacCormack, A., & Iansiti, M. (2009) · Journal of Product Innovation Management · doi:10.1111/j.1540-5885.2009.00656.x · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Use of partial least squares (PLS) in strategic management research: a review of four recent studies
Hulland, J. (1999) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0266(199902)20:2
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Towards a theory of ecosystems
Jacobides, M. G., Cennamo, C., & Gawer, A. (2018) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.2904 · Cited by 3,724 · see citing works
Self-citationA Critical Assessment of Business Model Research
Massa, L., Tucci, C. L., & Afuah, A. N. (2017) · Academy of Management Annals · doi:10.5465/annals.2014.0072 · Cited by 1,452 · see citing works
Networks, platforms, and strategy: Emerging views and next steps
McIntyre, D. P., & Srinivasan, A. (2017) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.2596 · Cited by 1,109 · see citing works
Hein, A., Schreieck, M., Riasanow, T., Setzke, D. S., Wiesche, M., Böhm, M., & Krcmar, H. (2020) · Electronic Markets · doi:10.1007/s12525-019-00377-4 · Cited by 945 · see citing works
Technology Ecosystem Governance
Wareham, J., Fox, P. B., & Cano Giner, J. L. (2014) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.2014.0895 · Cited by 931 · see citing works
Architectural Leverage: Putting Platforms in Context
Thomas, L. D. W., Autio, E., & Gann, D. M. (2014) · Academy of Management Perspectives · doi:10.5465/amp.2011.0105 · Cited by 639 · see citing works
Digital platforms’ boundaries: The interplay of firm scope, platform sides, and digital interfaces
Gawer, A. (2021) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2020.102045 · Cited by 626 · see citing works
A review of the ecosystem concept — Towards coherent ecosystem design
Tsujimoto, M., Kajikawa, Y., Tomita, J., & Matsumoto, Y. (2017) · Technological Forecasting and Social Change · doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2017.06.032 · Cited by 580 · see citing works
Competing with complementors: An empirical look at Amazon.com
Zhu, F., & Liu, Q. (2018) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.2932 · Cited by 546 · see citing works
The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Data Network Effects for Creating User Value
Gregory, R. W., Henfridsson, O., Kaganer, E., & Kyriakou, H. (2021) · Academy of Management Review · doi:10.5465/amr.2019.0178 · Cited by 540 · see citing works
Zhao, E. Y., Fisher, G., Lounsbury, M. D., & Miller, D. (2016) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.2589 · Cited by 533 · see citing works
Platform Competition: A Systematic and Interdisciplinary Review of the Literature
Rietveld, J., & Schilling, M. A. (2020) · Journal of Management · doi:10.1177/0149206320969791 · Cited by 523 · see citing works
Platform-Dependent Entrepreneurs: Power Asymmetries, Risks, and Strategies in the Platform Economy
Cutolo, D., & Kenney, M. (2021) · Academy of Management Perspectives · doi:10.5465/amp.2019.0103 · Cited by 507 · see citing works
Competing in Digital Markets: A Platform-Based Perspective
Cennamo, C. (2021) · Academy of Management Perspectives · doi:10.5465/amp.2016.0048 · Cited by 487 · see citing works
Self-citationCrafting Business Architecture: the Antecedents of Business Model Design
Amit, R. H., & Zott, C. (2015) · Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal · doi:10.1002/sej.1200 · Cited by 420 · see citing works
Platforms without borders? The international strategies of digital platform firms
Stallkamp, M., & Schotter, A. P. J. (2021) · Global Strategy Journal · doi:10.1002/gsj.1336 · Cited by 420 · see citing works
Generativity Tension and Value Creation in Platform Ecosystems
Cennamo, C., & Santaló, J. (2019) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.2018.1270 · Cited by 408 · see citing works
Self-citationUnpaid Crowd Complementors: The Platform Network Effect Mirage
Boudreau, K. J., & Jeppesen, L. B. (2014) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.2324 · Cited by 381 · see citing works
Born digitals: Thoughts on their internationalization and a research agenda
Monaghan, S., Tippmann, E., & Coviello, N. E. (2019) · Journal of International Business Studies · doi:10.1057/s41267-019-00290-0 · Cited by 382 · see citing works
Unpacking the Disruption Process: New Technology, Business Models, and Incumbent Adaptation
Cozzolino, A., Verona, G., & Rothaermel, F. T. (2018) · Journal of Management Studies · doi:10.1111/joms.12352 · Cited by 385 · see citing works
Explaining the internationalization of ibusiness firms
Brouthers, K. D., Geisser, K. D., & Rothlauf, F. (2015) · Journal of International Business Studies · doi:10.1057/jibs.2015.20 · Cited by 367 · see citing works
Platform Strategy: Managing Ecosystem Value Through Selective Promotion of Complements
Rietveld, J., Schilling, M. A., & Bellavitis, C. (2019) · Organization science (Providence, R.I.) · doi:10.1287/orsc.2019.1290 · Cited by 282 · see citing works
Chen, L., Tong, T. W., Tang, S., & Han, N. (2022) · Journal of Management · doi:10.1177/01492063211045023 · Cited by 345 · see citing works
Gaining Legitimacy by Being Different: Optimal Distinctiveness in Crowdfunding Platforms
Taeuscher, K., Bouncken, R. B., & Pesch, R. N. (2020) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2018.0620 · Cited by 338 · see citing works
The Sharing Economy Globalization Phenomenon: A Research Agenda
Parente, R., Geleilate, J.-M. G., & Rong, K. (2017) · Journal of International Management · doi:10.1016/j.intman.2017.10.001 · Cited by 334 · see citing works
Entrepreneurship in digital platforms: <scp>A</scp> network‐centric view
Srinivasan, A., & Venkatraman, N. (2018) · Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal · doi:10.1002/sej.1272 · Cited by 331 · see citing works
Hermes, S., Riasanow, T., Clemons, E. K., Böhm, M., & Krcmar, H. (2020) · BuR - Business Research · doi:10.1007/s40685-020-00125-x · Cited by 351 · see citing works
Renewing the resource‐based view: New contexts, new concepts, and new methods
Helfat, C., Kaul, A., Ketchen, D., Barney, J., Chatain, O., & Singh, H. (2023) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.3500 · Cited by 305 · see citing works
Threat of platform‐owner entry and complementor responses: Evidence from the mobile app market
Wen, W., & Zhu, F. (2019) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.3031 · Cited by 318 · see citing works
Decentralized Governance of Digital Platforms
Chen, Y., Richter, J., & Patel, P. C. (2020) · Journal of Management · doi:10.1177/0149206320916755 · Cited by 275 · see citing works
The Internet of Everything: Smart things and their impact on business models
Langley, D., van Doorn, J., Ng, I. C. L., Stieglitz, S., Lazovik, A., & Boonstra, A. (2020) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.12.035 · Cited by 301 · see citing works
Karhu, K., Gustafsson, R., & Lyytinen, K. (2018) · Information Systems Research · doi:10.1287/isre.2018.0786 · Cited by 286 · see citing works
Sharing economy business models for sustainability
Curtis, S., & Mont, O. (2020) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121519 · Cited by 284 · see citing works
Ecosystem-specific advantages in international digital commerce
Li, J., Chen, L., Yi, J., Mao, J., & Liao, J. (2019) · Journal of International Business Studies · doi:10.1057/s41267-019-00263-3 · Cited by 284 · see citing works
Platform Architecture and Quality Trade-offs of Multihoming Complements
Cennamo, C., Ozalp, H., & Kretschmer, T. (2018) · Information Systems Research · doi:10.1287/isre.2018.0779 · Cited by 273 · see citing works
Self-citationMeijerink, J., Boons, M., Keegan, A., & Marler, J. (2021) · The International Journal of Human Resource Management · doi:10.1080/09585192.2021.1925326 · Cited by 267 · see citing works
Chen, L., Shaheer, N. A., Yi, J., & Li, S. (2018) · Journal of International Business Studies · doi:10.1057/s41267-018-0176-2 · Cited by 257 · see citing works
Cozzolino, A., Corbo, L., & Aversa, P. (2021) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.12.058 · Cited by 292 · see citing works
The future of manufacturing: A Delphi-based scenario analysis on Industry 4.0
Culot, G., Orzes, G., Sartor, M., & Nassimbeni, G. (2020) · Technological Forecasting and Social Change · doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120092 · Cited by 250 · see citing works
The evolution of platform business models: Exploring competitive battles in the world of platforms
Zhao, Y., von Delft, S., Morgan‐Thomas, A., & Buck, T. (2019) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2019.101892 · Cited by 247 · see citing works
Lundvall, B., & Rikap, C. (2021) · Research Policy · doi:10.1016/j.respol.2021.104395 · Cited by 242 · see citing works
Disruption in Platform‐Based Ecosystems
Ozalp, H., Cennamo, C., & Gawer, A. (2018) · Journal of Management Studies · doi:10.1111/joms.12351 · Cited by 223 · see citing works
Self-citationJacobides, M. G., Cennamo, C., & Gawer, A. (2024) · Research Policy · doi:10.1016/j.respol.2023.104906 · Cited by 220 · see citing works
Self-citationKnudsen, E. S., Lien, L. B., Timmermans, B., Belik, I., & Pandey, S. (2021) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.02.008 · Cited by 244 · see citing works
Haans, R. F. J. (2018) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.2978 · Cited by 215 · see citing works
Platform governance matters: How platform gatekeeping affects knowledge sharing among complementors
Zhang, Y., Li, J., & Tong, T. W. (2022) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.3191 · Cited by 214 · see citing works
Demand Heterogeneity in Platform Markets: Implications for Complementors
Rietveld, J., & Eggers, J. P. (2018) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.2017.1183 · Cited by 221 · see citing works
Mutualism and the dynamics of new platform creation: A study of Cisco and fog computing
Khanagha, S., Ansari, S. S., Paroutis, S., & Oviedo, L. (2020) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.3147 · Cited by 215 · see citing works
A complex adaptive systems agenda for ecosystem research methodology
Phillips, M., & Ritala, P. (2019) · Technological Forecasting and Social Change · doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119739 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Multi-sided platforms as new organizational forms
McIntyre, D., Srinivasan, A., Afuah, A., Gawer, A., & Kretschmer, T. (2020) · Academy of Management Perspectives · doi:10.5465/amp.2018.0018 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Can We Predict the Winner in a Market with Network Effects? Competition in Cryptocurrency Market
Gandal, N., & Hałaburda, H. (2016) · Games · doi:10.3390/g7030016 · Cited by 202 · see citing works
A socio-technical view of platform ecosystems: Systematic review and research agenda
Kapoor, K. K., Bigdeli, A. Z., Dwivedi, Y. K., Schroeder, A., Beltagui, A., & Baines, T. S. (2021) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.01.060 · Cited by 199 · see citing works
Digital platform openness: Drivers, dimensions and outcomes
Broekhuizen, T., Emrich, O., Gijsenberg, M. J., Broekhuis, M., Donkers, B., & Sloot, L. M. (2019) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.001 · Cited by 205 · see citing works
Blockchain-based platforms: Decentralized infrastructures and its boundary conditions
Pereira, J., Tavalaei, M. M., & Ozalp, H. (2019) · Technological Forecasting and Social Change · doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2019.04.030 · Cited by 190 · see citing works
Resource dependence theory in international business: Progress and prospects
Jiang, H., Luo, Y.-D., Xia, J., Hitt, M., & Shen, J. (2022) · Global Strategy Journal · doi:10.1002/gsj.1467 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
User preferences and strategic interactions in platform ecosystems
Panico, C., & Cennamo, C. (2020) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.3149 · Cited by 179 · see citing works
Self-citationChen, L., Yi, J., Li, S., & Tong, T. W. (2022) · Journal of Management · doi:10.1177/0149206320988337 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
“Given previous research on platform competition (Cennamo & Santaló, 2013), we purposely choose a nongame category, where it is relatively rare to use exclusivity contracts, which prevent an app from multihoming for an extended period of time.”
BackgroundMethodEcosystem leadership as a dynamic capability
Foss, N. J., Schmidt, J., & Teece, D. J. (2022) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2022.102270 · Cited by 194 · see citing works
Bereznoy, A. V., Meissner, D., & Scuotto, V. (2021) · Journal of Knowledge Management · doi:10.1108/jkm-10-2020-0769 · Cited by 175 · see citing works
Zhao, E. Y., Ishihara, M., Jennings, P. D., & Lounsbury, M. D. (2018) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.2017.1194 · Cited by 174 · see citing works
Barlow, M. A., Verhaal, J. C., & Angus, R. W. (2019) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.3019 · Cited by 174 · see citing works
Focusing the ecosystem lens on innovation studies
Baldwin, C. Y., Bogers, M. L. A. M., Kapoor, R., & West, J. (2024) · Research Policy · doi:10.1016/j.respol.2023.104949 · Cited by 179 · see citing works
Outsourcing Tasks Online: Matching Supply and Demand on Peer-to-Peer Internet Platforms
Cullen, Z. B., & Farronato, C. (2020) · Management Sciences · doi:10.1287/mnsc.2020.3730 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Building the Value of Next-Generation Platforms: The Paradox of Diminishing Returns
Cennamo, C. (2018) · Journal of Management · doi:10.1177/0149206316658350 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Self-citationDigital platform-based business models – An exploration of critical success factors
Rohn, D., Bican, P. M., Brem, A., Kraus, S., & Clauß, T. (2021) · Journal of Engineering and Technology Management · doi:10.1016/j.jengtecman.2021.101625 · Cited by 155 · see citing works
Discontinuities, competition, and cooperation: Coopetitive dynamics between incumbents and entrants
Cozzolino, A., & Rothaermel, F. T. (2018) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.2776 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
A systemic logic for platform business models
Fehrer, J. A., Woratschek, H., & Brodie, R. J. (2018) · Journal of service management · doi:10.1108/josm-02-2017-0036 · Cited by 147 · see citing works
Generative AI and its Transformative Value for Digital Platforms
Wessel, M., Adam, M., Benlian, A., Majchrzak, A., & Thies, F. (2025) · Journal of Management Information Systems · doi:10.1080/07421222.2025.2487315 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Openness in platform ecosystems: Innovation strategies for complementary products
Cenamor, J., & Frishammar, J. (2020) · Research Policy · doi:10.1016/j.respol.2020.104148 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Customer Orientation Structure for Internet-Based Business-to-Business Platform Firms
Chakravarty, A., Kumar, A., & Grewal, R. (2014) · Journal of Marketing · doi:10.1509/jm.12.0442 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Pauli, T., Fielt, E., & Matzner, M. (2021) · Business & Information Systems Engineering · doi:10.1007/s12599-020-00681-w · Cited by 147 · see citing works
Optimal distinctiveness in platform markets: Leveraging complementors as legitimacy buffers
Taeuscher, K., & Rothe, H. (2020) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.3229 · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Platform Desertion by App Developers
Tiwana, A. (2015) · Journal of Management Information Systems · doi:10.1080/07421222.2015.1138365 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
Miric, M., Boudreau, K. J., & Jeppesen, L. B. (2019) · Research Policy · doi:10.1016/j.respol.2019.01.012 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
Big tech, knowledge predation and the implications for development
Rikap, C., & Lundvall, B. (2020) · Innovation and Development · doi:10.1080/2157930x.2020.1855825 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Joining forces to create value: The emergence of an innovation ecosystem
Pushpananthan, G., & Elmquist, M. (2022) · Technovation · doi:10.1016/j.technovation.2021.102453 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Literature review: Understanding information systems strategy in the digital age
Teubner, R. A., & Stockhinger, J. (2020) · The Journal of Strategic Information Systems · doi:10.1016/j.jsis.2020.101642 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Complementor competitive advantage: A framework for strategic decisions
Cenamor, J. (2021) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.09.016 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Processes of ecosystem emergence
Thomas, L. D. W., Autio, E., & Gann, D. (2022) · Technovation · doi:10.1016/j.technovation.2021.102441 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Stummer, C., Kundisch, D., & Decker, R. (2018) · Business & Information Systems Engineering · doi:10.1007/s12599-018-0520-x · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Foerderer, J. (2020) · Management Sciences · doi:10.1287/mnsc.2019.3425 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Tavalaei, M. M., & Cennamo, C. (2021) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2020.101994 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Self-citationThe emergence of multi-sided platform MNEs: Internalization theory and networks
Zeng, J., Khan, Z., & Silva, M. D. (2019) · International Business Review · doi:10.1016/j.ibusrev.2019.101598 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
Zeng, J., Yang, Y., & Lee, S. H. (2022) · Journal of Management Studies · doi:10.1111/joms.12854 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Complementors as connectors: managing open innovation around digital product platforms
Hilbolling, S., Berends, H., Deken, F., & Tuertscher, P. (2019) · R and D Management · doi:10.1111/radm.12371 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Platform Synergy: Architectural Origins and Competitive Consequences
Tiwana, A. (2018) · Information Systems Research · doi:10.1287/isre.2017.0739 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Dushnitsky, G., Piva, E., & Rossi‐Lamastra, C. (2020) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.3163 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
A platform ecosystem view of servitization in manufacturing
Kapoor, K. K., Bigdeli, A. Z., Schroeder, A., & Baines, T. S. (2021) · Technovation · doi:10.1016/j.technovation.2021.102248 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Researching ecosystems in innovation contexts
Autio, E., & Thomas, L. D. W. (2021) · Innovation & Management Review · doi:10.1108/inmr-08-2021-0151 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Direct and Indirect Spillovers from Content Providers’ Switching: Evidence from Online Livestreaming
Zhao, K., Lu, Y., Hu, Y., & Hong, Y. (2019) · Information Systems Research · doi:10.1287/isre.2022.1160 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Platform governance and the rural–urban divide: Sellers' responses to design change
Koo, W. W.-Y., & Eesley, C. E. (2020) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.3259 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Sharing economy platform firms and their resource orchestration approaches
Zeng, J., Tavalaei, M. M., & Khan, Z. (2021) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.07.054 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Be alert to dangers: Collapse and avoidance strategies of platform ecosystems
Duan, W., & Li, C. (2023) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113869 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Competition in the Cryptocurrency MarketPreprint
Hałaburda, H., & Gandal, N. (2014) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.2506463 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Unraveling Platform Strategies: A Review from an Organizational Ambidexterity Perspective
Wan, X., Cenamor, J., PARKER, G. G., & Alstyne, M. V. (2017) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su9050734 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Business ecosystem research agenda: more dynamic, more embedded, and more internationalized
Rong, K., Lin, Y., Li, B., Burström, T., Butel, L., & Jiang, Y. (2018) · Asian Business & Management · doi:10.1057/s41291-018-0038-6 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Platform diffusion at temporary gatherings: Social coordination and ecosystem emergence
Fang, T. P., Wu, A., & Clough, D. R. (2021) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.3230 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Third-Party Logistics Providers in the Digital Age: Towards a New Competitive Arena?
Hofmann, E., & Osterwalder, F. (2017) · Logistics · doi:10.3390/logistics1020009 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Platforms, Open/User Innovation, and Ecosystems: A Strategic Leadership Perspective
Altman, E. J., & Tushman, M. L. (2017) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/s0742-332220170000037007 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Repositioning and Cost-Cutting: The Impact of Competition on Platform Strategies
Seamans, R., & Zhu, F. (2017) · Strategy Science · doi:10.1287/stsc.2017.0027 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
- Authors
- Cennamo, C., & Santalo, J.
- Affiliations
- Bocconi University (IT)
- Department of Strategy IE Business School Madrid Spain
- Corresponding author
- Cennamo, Carmelo
- ORCID
- Cennamo, Carmelo
- Venue
- Strategic Management Journal
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2013-02-08
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1331-1350
- ISSN
- 0143-2095 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-0266
- OpenAlex
- W2120221151
- Cited by
- 780
- References
- 81
- Citations by year
- 2026: 80 · 2025: 92 · 2024: 85 · 2023: 95 · 2022: 90 · 2021: 89 · 2020: 82 · 2019: 57 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 40.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Strategic Management Journal (publishedVersion)
- Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Bocconi (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Digital Platforms and Economics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Business Strategy and Innovation
- Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Merger and Competition Analysis
- Keywords
- platform competition, strategic trade-offs, network effects, exclusivity agreements, platform differentiation, video game industry, platform performance, market capture
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
