Competition in Multi-sided Markets: Divide and Conquer

B-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Microeconomics
Year: 2011
Volume: 3
Issue: 4
Pages: 186-220

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper studies Stackelberg price competition in a multi-sided market. The second-mover can engage in divide-and-conquer strategies, which involve cross-subsidies between sides. The paper recovers bounds on profits, and refines the results with a selection criteria whereby consumers resolve coordination failure in favor of a focal platform. It then analyzes perfect price discrimination with network effects, and two-sided market, shedding light on inefficiencies and strategic choices by platforms. A leading platform may refrain from selling to some side in order to soften competition, it tends to favor excessively balanced market shares and may prefer compatibility to reduce price competition. (JEL D43, D85)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejmic:v:3:y:2011:i:4:p:186-220
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-25