Centralization Decisions in Multisided Platform Portfolios
研究了同时运营多个多边平台的企业在集中化决策上的影响因素与后果，发现间接网络效应和匹配需求会强化交叉销售与数据共享的收益，从而更倾向于集中化设计，并讨论了定价、模仿壁垒和收购等策略及政策含义。
Despite the growing evidence that many firms operate several multisided platforms (MSPs) simultaneously, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the managerial and public policy challenges involved. We examine the determinants and consequences of centralization decisions for firms managing MSP portfolios. A starting point is that on top of the indirect network effects and matching needs between user groups of the same MSP, in an MSP portfolio there are indirect network effects and matching needs across sides of the different MSPs managed by the firm. These additional interdependencies can amplify the effects of cross-selling and data-sharing in such portfolios. Our analysis suggests the higher relevance of a centralized design of an MSP portfolio due to the coordination benefits when indirect network effects and matching needs intensify the payoffs from cross-selling and data-sharing in MSP portfolios. We also explain how a more centralized design of such portfolios enables a broad set of pricing strategies, barriers to imitation, and acquisitions, and discuss managerial and public policy implications.