The Resource‐Based View of Competitive Advantage in Two‐Sided Markets
以支付卡和电脑操作系统等双边市场为例，说明跨群体网络效应如何使参与者成为关键资源，并揭示初始网络规模差异如何通过资源积累过程形成持续竞争优势。
abstract Using two‐sided markets as a specific market context, we show that cross‐group network effects can turn the participants of a two‐sided network into critical resources. In two‐sided markets such as payment cards and personal computer operating systems, two groups of agents interact with each other via a common network platform; the value of joining the network for agents in one group depends on the number of participants in the other group. In these markets, resource heterogeneity is represented by different sizes of existing networks; resource accumulation possesses all five characteristics of asset‐stock accumulation summarized by Dierickx and Cool. The unique resource accumulation process provides an isolating mechanism for large networks to sustain their resource and competitive advantages. Using two dynamic systems models, we show that resource heterogeneity (i.e. varying initial network sizes) is a source of sustained competitive advantage for two‐sided networks and has significant impact on long‐term competition dynamics. The findings illustrate the importance of incorporating market context in the research of the resource‐based view of competitive advantage.