Understanding platform competition through simulation: a research outline. Issue 12 (2nd December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Papachristos, George; van de Kaa, Geerten
• Is Part Of: Technology analysis & strategic management. Volume 30:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1409
• Page End: 1421
• Publication Date: 2018-12-02
• Subjects: Simulation -- platforms -- competition -- technology management; Technological innovations -- Management -- Periodicals; Research, Industrial -- Management -- Periodicals; High technology industries -- Management -- Periodicals; Strategic planning -- Periodicals; 658.401205
• DOI: 10.1080/09537325.2018.1473850
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-7325

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Platform competition shapes and is shaped by a constantly changing socioeconomic context. Three trends provide evidence for this: (i) the number of firm level relevant factors for platform success is steadily increasing, (ii) contemporary cases of platform competition take less time to unfold, and (iii) industries converge. These trends suggest that there is a change: in the time required for relevant factors to influence platform competition, and in the trade-offs managers face when they take actions in platform development and competition, to influence the market outcome of such processes. Current frameworks in the literature do not account explicitly for such timing issues. The use of modelling and simulation, along empirical cases, is a way to incorporate timing and strategic action delays in platform competition research. We explore the multi-level research agenda this opens up and develop nine research questions for platform competition research.