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Competing with Big Data

Author

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  • Prüfer, Jens

    (Tilburg University, TILEC)

  • Schottmuller, C.

    (Tilburg University, TILEC)

Abstract

We study competition in data‐driven markets, where the cost of quality production decreases in the amount of machine‐generated data about user preferences or characteristics. This gives rise to data‐driven indirect network effects. We construct a dynamic model of R&D competition, where duopolists repeatedly determine innovation investments. Such markets tip under very mild conditions, moving towards monopoly. After tipping, innovation incentives both for the dominant firm and the competitor are small. We show when a dominant firm can leverage its dominance to a connected market, thereby initiating a domino effect. Market tipping can be avoided if competitors share their user information.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Prüfer, Jens & Schottmuller, C., 2017. "Competing with Big Data," Discussion Paper 2017-006, Tilburg University, Tilburg Law and Economic Center.
    • Handle: RePEc:tiu:tiutil:29de4480-00db-473b-a0ee-b387e748c5a4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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

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    Cited by:

    1. Bertin Martens & Alexandre de Streel & Inge Graef & Thomas Tombal & Nestor Duch-Brown, 2020. "Business-to-Business data sharing: An economic and legal analysis," JRC Working Papers on Digital Economy 2020-05, Joint Research Centre.
    2. Yiquan Gu & Leonardo Madio & Carlo Reggiani, 2022. "Data brokers co-opetition [The impact of big data on firm performance: an empirical investigation]," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 74(3), pages 820-839.
    3. Alessandro Bonatti, 2023. "The Platform Dimension of Digital Privacy," NBER Chapters, in: The Economics of Privacy, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Jullien, Bruno & Sand-Zantman, Wilfried, 2021. "The Economics of Platforms: A Theory Guide for Competition Policy," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    5. Arnold, René & Hildebrandt, Christian & Taş, Serpil, 2020. "European data economy: Between competition and regulation. Final report," Study Series, WIK Wissenschaftliches Institut für Infrastruktur und Kommunikationsdienste GmbH, number 251538.
    6. Jens Prüfer & Patricia Prüfer, 2020. "Data science for entrepreneurship research: studying demand dynamics for entrepreneurial skills in the Netherlands," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(3), pages 651-672, October.
    7. Gary Biglaiser & Emilio Calvano & Jacques Crémer, 2019. "Incumbency advantage and its value," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 41-48, January.
    8. Guy Aridor & Yishay Mansour & Aleksandrs Slivkins & Zhiwei Steven Wu, 2020. "Competing Bandits: The Perils of Exploration Under Competition," Papers 2007.10144, arXiv.org, revised Dec 2022.
    9. Jean-Marc Zogheib & Marc Bourreau, 2021. "Privacy, Competition, and Multi-Homing," EconomiX Working Papers 2021-15, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.
    10. Krämer, Jan & Wohlfarth, Michael, 2018. "Market power, regulatory convergence, and the role of data in digital markets," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 154-171.
    11. de Bas, Patrick & Batura, Olga & Yagafarova, Anastasia & van Gorp, Nicolai & Kesler, Reinhold & Laitenberger, Ulrich & Bertschek, Irene & Pichler, Eva, 2017. "Business-to-Business relations in the online platform environment. FWC ENTR/300/PP/2013/FC-WIFO: Final report," ZEW Expertises, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research, number 170570.
    12. Wolfgang Kerber, 2019. "Data-sharing in IoT Ecosystems from a Competition Law Perspective: The Example of Connected Cars," MAGKS Papers on Economics 201921, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    13. Andrea Amelio & Thomas Buettner & Cyril Hariton & Gábor Koltay & Penelope Papandropoulos & Geza Sapi & Tommaso Valletti & Hans Zenger, 2018. "Recent Developments at DG Competition: 2017/2018," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 53(4), pages 653-679, December.
    14. Bertin Martens, 2018. "The impact of data access regimes on artificial intelligence and machine learning," JRC Working Papers on Digital Economy 2018-09, Joint Research Centre.
    15. Argentesi, Elena & Buccirossi, Paolo & Calvano, Emilio & Duso, Tomaso & Marrazzo, Alessia & Nava, Salvatore, 2021. "Merger Policy in Digital Markets: An Ex Post Assessment," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 17(1), pages 95-140.
    16. Jens Prüfer & Christoph Schottmüller, 2021. "Competing with Big Data," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 69(4), pages 967-1008, December.
    17. Jens Prüfer & Patricia Prüfer, 2018. "Data science for institutional and organizational economics," Chapters, in: Claude Ménard & Mary M. Shirley (ed.), A Research Agenda for New Institutional Economics, chapter 28, pages 248-259, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    18. Dengler, Sebastian & Prüfer, Jens, 2021. "Consumers' privacy choices in the era of big data," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 499-520.
    19. repec:ecb:ecbdps:202220 is not listed on IDEAS
    20. Koski, Heli & Kässi, Otto & Braesemann, Fabian, 2020. "Killers on the Road of Emerging Start-ups – Implications for Market Entry and Venture Capital Financing," ETLA Working Papers 81, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.
    21. CARBALLA SMICHOWSKI Bruno & DUCH BROWN Nestor & MARTENS Bertin, 2021. "To pool or to pull back? An economic analysis of health data pooling," JRC Working Papers on Digital Economy 2021-06, Joint Research Centre.
    22. MARTENS Bertin, 2020. "An economic perspective on data and platform market power," JRC Working Papers on Digital Economy 2020-09, Joint Research Centre.
    23. Calvano, Emilio & Polo, Michele, 2021. "Market power, competition and innovation in digital markets: A survey," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    24. T. Robert Fetter & Andrew L. Steck & Christopher Timmins & Douglas Wrenn, 2018. "Learning by Viewing? Social Learning, Regulatory Disclosure, and Firm Productivity in Shale Gas," NBER Working Papers 25401, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    big data; datafication; data-driven indirect network effects; dynamic competition; regulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • D92 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Intertemporal Firm Choice, Investment, Capacity, and Financing
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L43 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Legal Monopolies and Regulation or Deregulation
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software

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