Regulating Platforms as Utilities? A Business Model Perspective

38 Pages Posted: 14 May 2021

See all articles by Tobias Kretschmer

Tobias Kretschmer

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) - Faculty of Business Administration (Munich School of Management); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Sven Werner

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)

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Date Written: May 2021

Abstract

Current discussions about how to regulate platforms revolve around the extent to which existing frameworks can and should be applied to modern-day platform firms and business models. We outline and explain the economic and strategic features of platforms, and compare and contrast them to utility industries often considered structurally similar. We will then outline the manner in which these industries have been regulated and the rules for regulatory intervention and assess how these approaches and others currently being discussed are likely to affect competition and innovation on modern-day platforms.

Suggested Citation

Kretschmer, Tobias and Werner, Sven, Regulating Platforms as Utilities? A Business Model Perspective (May 2021). CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP16106, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3846217

Tobias Kretschmer (Contact Author)

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) - Faculty of Business Administration (Munich School of Management) ( email )

Kaulbachstr. 45
Munich, DE 80539
Germany

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) ( email )

London
United Kingdom

Sven Werner

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) ( email )

Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1
Munich, DE Bavaria 80539
Germany

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