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Can self-regulation save digital platforms?
[Uncertainty and the welfare economics of medical care]

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  • Michael A Cusumano
  • Annabelle Gawer
  • David B Yoffie

Abstract

This article explores some of the critical challenges facing self-regulation and the regulatory environment for digital platforms. We examine several historical examples of firms and industries that attempted self-regulation before the Internet. All dealt with similar challenges involving multiple market actors and potentially harmful content or bias in search results: movies and video games, radio and television advertising, and computerized airline reservation systems. We follow this historical discussion with examples of digital platforms in the Internet era that have proven problematic in similar ways, with growing calls for government intervention through sectoral regulation and content controls. We end with some general guidelines for when and how specific types of platform businesses might self-regulate more effectively. Although our sample is small and exploratory, the research suggests that a combination of self-regulation and credible threats of government regulation may yield the best results. We also note that effective self-regulation need not happen exclusively at the level of the firm. When it is in their collective self-interest, as occurred before the Internet era, coalitions of firms within the same market and with similar business models may agree to abide by a jointly accepted set of rules or codes of conduct.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael A Cusumano & Annabelle Gawer & David B Yoffie, 2021. "Can self-regulation save digital platforms? [Uncertainty and the welfare economics of medical care]," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 30(5), pages 1259-1285.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:indcch:v:30:y:2021:i:5:p:1259-1285.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/icc/dtab052
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Klingenberg, Cristina Orsolin & Valle Antunes Júnior, José Antônio & Müller-Seitz, Gordon, 2022. "Impacts of digitalization on value creation and capture: Evidence from the agricultural value chain," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    2. Khan, Zaheer & Zeng, Jing & Knight, Gary & Rajwani, Tazeeb & Pattnaik, Chinmay, 2023. "Non-market strategies and disruptive innovation in the platform economy," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(5).
    3. Soltanzadeh, Javad & Blind, Knut & Elyasi, Mehdi, 2023. "Exploring how regulators face platform business issues in the lifecycle stages: Evidence of iranian ride-hailing platform business," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(7).
    4. Simon Michalke & Lisa Lohrenz & Christoph Lattemann & Susanne Robra-Bissantz, 2022. "Exploring engagement, well-being, and welfare on engagement platforms: Insight into the personal service sector from the DACH region," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(4), pages 2429-2444, December.
    5. Michael G Jacobides & Ioannis Lianos, 2021. "Regulating platforms and ecosystems: an introduction [Ecosystem as structure: an actionable construct for strategy]," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 30(5), pages 1131-1142.
    6. Jovanovic, Marin & Kostić, Nikola & Sebastian, Ina M. & Sedej, Tomaz, 2022. "Managing a blockchain-based platform ecosystem for industry-wide adoption: The case of TradeLens," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    7. Rawhouser, Hans & Webb, Justin W. & Rodrigues, Jason & Waldron, Theodore L. & Kumaraswamy, Arun & Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph & Grady, Azucena, 2022. "“Scaling, blockchain technology, and entrepreneurial opportunities in developing countries”," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 18(C).
    8. Koo, Wesley W., 2024. "Hybrid governance of platform entrepreneurs," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(2).

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