Within-Industry Diversification and Firm Performance in the Presence of Network Externalities: Evidence From the Software Industry
研究了软件行业中，在操作系统平台和软件产品市场两个维度上的相关多元化策略如何互补影响企业销售增长和市场份额，发现同时实施两种策略效果最佳。
In the presence of network externalities, complementary related diversification strategies in production and consumption can be critical for achieving positive returns to within-industry diversification. This study developed this idea and tested it in a longitudinal study of 884 firms in the software industry. Results indicate that related diversification across operating system platforms and related diversification across software product-markets complement each other and mutually affect each other's marginal returns. Implementing the two strategies in combination improves sales growth and market share. Implementing only market-related diversification reduces sales growth. Implementing only platform-related diversification reduces both sales growth and market share.