Two-sided markets, competitive bottlenecks and exclusive contracts.

We provide a framework for analyzing two-sided markets that allows for different degrees of product differentiation on each side of the market. When platforms are viewed as homogenous by sellers but heterogeneous by buyers, we show that “competitive bottlenecks” arise endogenously. In equilibrium, p...

Cur síos iomlán

Sonraí bibleagrafaíochta
Príomhchruthaitheoirí: Armstrong, M, Wright, J
Formáid: Journal article
Teanga:English
Foilsithe / Cruthaithe: Springer 2007
Cur síos
Achoimre:We provide a framework for analyzing two-sided markets that allows for different degrees of product differentiation on each side of the market. When platforms are viewed as homogenous by sellers but heterogeneous by buyers, we show that “competitive bottlenecks” arise endogenously. In equilibrium, platforms do not compete directly for sellers, instead choosing to compete indirectly by subsidizing buyers to join. Sellers are left with none of the gains from trade. Despite this, it is sellers who choose to purchase from multiple platforms (multihome). Finally, the role of exclusive contracts to prevent multihoming is explored.