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Mobile Computing: The Next Platform Rivalry

Author

Listed:
  • Timothy Bresnahan
  • Shane Greenstein

Abstract

Competition to become one of several dominant mobile platforms is intense. Platforms compete for developers, who create applications which make the platform valuable for users. Why doesn't one form of platform governance emerge as superior? This essay will stress the reasons for differentiation and proposes a new argument linked to a platform's "hierarchy." Hierarchical governance features can help at one moment but then get in the way at a later time. These arguments are illustrated by different approaches to platform governance taken by the major mobile platform sponsors of recent years.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy Bresnahan & Shane Greenstein, 2014. "Mobile Computing: The Next Platform Rivalry," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(5), pages 475-480, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:104:y:2014:i:5:p:475-80
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.104.5.475
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Shenja van der Graaf, 2018. "In Waze We Trust: Algorithmic Governance of the Public Sphere," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(4), pages 153-162.
    2. Ritu Agarwal & Amrit Tiwana, 2015. "Editorial—Evolvable Systems: Through the Looking Glass of IS," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 26(3), pages 473-479, September.
    3. Amrit Tiwana, 2018. "Platform Synergy: Architectural Origins and Competitive Consequences," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 29(4), pages 829-848, December.
    4. Satish Nambisan, 2017. "Digital Entrepreneurship: Toward a Digital Technology Perspective of Entrepreneurship," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 41(6), pages 1029-1055, November.
    5. Jan Frederic Nerbel & Markus Kreutzer, 2023. "Digital platform ecosystems in flux: From proprietary digital platforms to wide-spanning ecosystems," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-20, December.
    6. Maral Jamalova & Constantinovits Milán, 2020. "The Comparative Study of the Relationship Between Smartphone Choice and Socio-Economic Indicators," International Journal of Marketing Studies, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(3), pages 1-11, March.
    7. Kevin J. Boudreau, 2018. "Amateurs Crowds & Professional Entrepreneurs as Platform Complementors," NBER Working Papers 24512, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    8. Gene Moo Lee & Shu He & Joowon Lee & Andrew B. Whinston, 2020. "Matching Mobile Applications for Cross-Promotion," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 31(3), pages 865-891, September.
    9. Martin Poniatowski & Hedda Lüttenberg & Daniel Beverungen & Dennis Kundisch, 2022. "Three layers of abstraction: a conceptual framework for theorizing digital multi-sided platforms," Information Systems and e-Business Management, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 257-283, June.
    10. Lehr, William & Clark, David & Bauer, Steve, 2019. "Regulation when platforms are layered," 30th European Regional ITS Conference, Helsinki 2019 205193, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    11. Wessel, Michael & Thies, Ferdinand & Benlian, Alexander, 2015. "The Effects of Relinquishing Control in Platform Ecosystems: Implications from a Policy Change on Kickstarter," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 75205, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    12. Amrit Tiwana, 2015. "Evolutionary Competition in Platform Ecosystems," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 26(2), pages 266-281, June.
    13. van der Graaf, Shenja & Ballon, Pieter, 2019. "Navigating platform urbanism," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 364-372.
    14. Raffaele Fabio Ciriello & Alexander Richter & Gerhard Schwabe, 2018. "Digital Innovation," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 60(6), pages 563-569, December.
    15. Leonie Schulte, 2022. "Integrating immediate gains with sustainable performance: systematic review of paradox at the intersection of strategic management and innovation," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 72(4), pages 1209-1247, December.

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    JEL classification:

    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software

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