When Does a Platform Create Value by Limiting Choice?

Journal of Economics & Management Strategy 23, no. 2 (2014): 258–292

Harvard Business School Strategy Unit Working Paper No. 11-030

46 Pages Posted: 18 Sep 2010 Last revised: 4 Jul 2019

See all articles by Ramon Casadesus-Masanell

Ramon Casadesus-Masanell

Harvard University - Strategy Unit

Hanna Halaburda

New York University (NYU) - Leonard N. Stern School of Business

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: November 9, 2012

Abstract

We present a theory for why it might be rational for a platform to limit the number of applications available on it. Our model is based on the observation that even if users prefer application variety, applications often also exhibit direct network effects. When there are direct network effects, users prefer to consume the same applications to benefit from consumption complementarities. We show that the combination of preference for variety and consumption complementarities gives rise to (i) a commons problem (to better satisfy their individual preference for variety, users have an incentive to consume more applications than the number that maximizes joint utility); (ii) an equilibrium selection problem (consumption complementarities often lead to multiple equilibria, which result in different utility levels for the users); and (iii) a coordination problem (lacking perfect foresight, it is unlikely that users will end up buying the same set of applications). The analysis shows that the platform can resolve these problems and create value by limiting the number of applications available. By limiting choice, the platform may create new equilibria (including the allocation that maximizes users' utility); eliminate equilibria that give lower utility to the users; and reduce the severity of the coordination problem faced by users.

Keywords: platform governance, direct network effects, indirect network effects, complements, tragedy of the commons, equilibrium selection, coordination, foresight

JEL Classification: D21, D42, L12, L82, L86

Suggested Citation

Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon and Halaburda, Hanna, When Does a Platform Create Value by Limiting Choice? (November 9, 2012). Journal of Economics & Management Strategy 23, no. 2 (2014): 258–292, Harvard Business School Strategy Unit Working Paper No. 11-030, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1677624 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1677624

Ramon Casadesus-Masanell

Harvard University - Strategy Unit ( email )

Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field Road
Boston, MA 02163
United States
617-496-0176 (Phone)
617-496-5859 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.people.hbs.edu/rmasanell

Hanna Halaburda (Contact Author)

New York University (NYU) - Leonard N. Stern School of Business ( email )

44 West 4th Street
New York, NY NY 10012
United States

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