Software platform owners' entry and application developers' innovations: a conceptual model
Industrial Management & Data Systems
ISSN: 0263-5577
Article publication date: 29 September 2021
Issue publication date: 3 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The primary aim of this article is to develop an understanding that resolves and integrates the conflicting findings with regard to the effects of platform-owner entry on the innovation of individual complementors.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the platform ecosystem literature and the profiting from innovation (PFI) framework, this study presents a conceptual model that articulates how developers' marketing capabilities and the size of platform's installed base are two key moderators that explain the conflicting results between platform-owner entry and complementor innovations.
Findings
This article theorizes that platform owners' entry stimulates developers' innovations when the size of platform's installed base is large or when developers' marketing capabilities are strong while the entry can discourage innovations otherwise.
Originality/value
By proposing the conceptual model, this article makes important theoretical contributions to the rising literature on platform governance and complementor innovations. It lays a foundation for future research exploring the implications of platform-owner entry.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the editor and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (72091312, 71972166, 71821002, 71872165).
Citation
Zuo, Y. and Song, D. (2022), "Software platform owners' entry and application developers' innovations: a conceptual model", Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 122 No. 1, pp. 107-117. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-04-2021-0198
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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