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Functional Degradation And Asymmetric Network Effects

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  • GERGELY CSORBA
  • JONG‐HEE HAHN

Abstract

In markets subject to network effects, firms often remove some functions of their original products and sell a functionally‐downgraded version at a lower or zero price. This paper aims to provide a pure network effect based explanation of such a practice. Building a functional degradation model with asymmetric network effects, we investigate when and why firms have incentives to introduce a functionally‐degraded good and discuss its welfare implication.

Suggested Citation

  • Gergely Csorba & Jong‐Hee Hahn, 2006. "Functional Degradation And Asymmetric Network Effects," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(2), pages 253-268, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jindec:v:54:y:2006:i:2:p:253-268
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6451.2006.00282.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Veiga, André, 2018. "A note on how to sell a network good," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 114-126.
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    3. Böhme Enrico, 2016. "Second-Degree Price Discrimination on Two-Sided Markets," Review of Network Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 15(2), pages 91-115, June.
    4. Peitz, Martin & Waelbroeck, Patrick, 2006. "Piracy of digital products: A critical review of the theoretical literature," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 18(4), pages 449-476, November.
    5. Csorba, Gergely, 2008. "Contracting with asymmetric information in the presence of positive network effects: Screening and divide-and-conquer techniques," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 54-66, March.

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