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Innovation, Openness, and Platform Control


Geoffrey Parker


Tulane University - A.B. Freeman School of Business

Marshall W. Van Alstyne


Boston University - Department of Management Information Systems; MIT Sloan School

January 14, 2013


Abstract:     
We examine how exercising control rights over a technology platform can increase profits and innovation. By choosing how much to open and when to bundle enhancements, platform sponsors can influence choices of ecosystem partners. Platform openness invites developer participation but sacrifices direct sales. Bundling enhancements early destroys developer profits but bundling late delays R&D spillovers that promote platform growth. Interestingly, developers can prefer sponsored platforms to unmanaged open standards despite giving up rights to their applications. Results can inform innovation strategy, choice of organizational form, antitrust and intellectual property law, and the management of competition.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 41

Keywords: Open Innovation, Sequential Innovation, Two-Sided Markets, Two Sided Networks, Platforms, Patent Length, Network Effects, Externalities, R&D Spillovers, Bundling, Vertical Integration

JEL Classification: L00, L11, L5, O3, O31, O32

working papers series


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Date posted: January 2, 2008 ; Last revised: February 5, 2013

Suggested Citation

Parker, Geoffrey and Van Alstyne, Marshall W., Innovation, Openness, and Platform Control (January 14, 2013). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1079712 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1079712

Contact Information

Geoffrey Parker (Contact Author)
Tulane University - A.B. Freeman School of Business ( email )
7 McAlister Drive
New Orleans, LA 70118
United States
504-865-5000 (Phone)
504-865-6751 (Fax)
HOME PAGE: http://ggparker.net
Marshall W. Van Alstyne
Boston University - Department of Management Information Systems ( email )
595 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
United States
617-358-3571 (Phone)
HOME PAGE: http://smgapps.bu.edu/mgmt_new/profiles/VanAlstyneMarshall.html
MIT Sloan School ( email )
Center for Digital Business
5 Cambridge Center - NE25, 7th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
United States
617-253-0768 (Phone)
HOME PAGE: http://web.mit.edu/marshall/www/home.html
Feedback to SSRN (Beta)


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