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The Sustainability of Superior Performance of Platform Complementor: Evidence from the Effects of Iterative Innovation and Visibility of App in iOS Platform in China

Author

Listed:
  • Na Wang

    (School of Economics and Management, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China)

  • Shuangying Chen

    (School of Economics and Management, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China)

  • Lei Xiao

    (School of Economics and Management, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China)

  • Feng Fu

    (School of Economics and Management, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China)

Abstract

The sustainability of superior performance is a vital goal for complementor in mobile platform ecosystem, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to realize it. The previous literature about the sustainability of superior performance is insufficient and lacks deep research the mechanisms that affect the sustainability of superior performance. Based on user-oriented perspective, this study examines the direct and interactive effects of app’s iterative innovation and visibility on the sustainability of complementor’s superior performance. Using a two-way fixed effect model and monthly panel data, with the final dataset of 4596 observations from 384 apps of top-ranking positions by revenue available from December 2018 to December 2019 on the Apple iOS App Store in China, the results show that a) app’s iterative innovation and visibility (including platform recommendations and download rankings) promote the sustainability of app’s superior performance; b) platform recommendations and iterative innovation have a synergistic effect on the sustainability of app’s superior performance; and c) the download ranking has a substitution effect on iterative innovation to promote the sustainability of app’s superior performance. The findings of this study have theoretical and practical implications for improving the sustainability of app’s superior performance in the digital age.

Suggested Citation

  • Na Wang & Shuangying Chen & Lei Xiao & Feng Fu, 2021. "The Sustainability of Superior Performance of Platform Complementor: Evidence from the Effects of Iterative Innovation and Visibility of App in iOS Platform in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:4034-:d:530446
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaoxiao Zhou & Yuki Inoue, 2025. "Innovation in Platform Ecosystems: Roles of Complementors’ Experiential Knowledge and Community Engagement as an External Knowledge Source," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-24, March.
    2. Jiang, Xiaoxian & Jin, Ruijie & Gong, Min & Li, Mingzhu, 2022. "Are heterogeneous customers always good for iterative innovation?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 324-334.

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