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  • 2021
  • Working Paper
  • HBS Working Paper Series

Assessing the Strength of Network Effects in Social Network Platforms

By: Marco Iansiti
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:18
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Abstract

Network effects have risen to the forefront of platform competition discussions (e.g. the House Judiciary investigation of competition in digital markets, claiming that Facebook, for example, is entrenched due to strong network effects and high switching costs). While newer literature has developed much more sophistication in characterizing network effects, common regulatory perspective often assumes more simplistic views.

Keywords

Social Networks; Platform Competition; Network Effects; Competition; Social Media; Digital Platforms

Citation

Iansiti, Marco. "Assessing the Strength of Network Effects in Social Network Platforms." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 21-086, February 2021.
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About The Author

Marco Iansiti

Technology and Operations Management
→More Publications

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More from the Author
  • Data Privacy in Practice at LinkedIn By: Iavor Bojinov, Marco Iansiti and Seth Neel
  • Network Interconnectivity and Entry into Platform Markets By: Feng Zhu, Xinxin Li, Ehsan Valavi and Marco Iansiti
  • Orchadio’s First Two Split Experiments By: Iavor I. Bojinov, Marco Iansiti and David Lane
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