Switching costs in two-sided markets

Lam, Wing Man Wynne (2017) Switching costs in two-sided markets. Journal of Industrial Economics, 65 (1). 136–182. ISSN 0022-1821

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Abstract

In many markets, there are switching costs and network effects. Yet the literature generally deals with them separately. This paper bridges the gap by analyzing their interaction (or ‘indirect bargain’) in a dynamic two-sided market. It shows that in the symmetric equilibrium, the classic result that the first-period price is U-shaped in switching costs does not emerge, but instead switching costs always intensify the first-period price competition. Moreover, an increase in switching costs on one side decreases the first-period price on the other side. Policies that ignore these effects may overestimate the extent to which switching costs can reduce welfare.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Competition Policy Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Responsible Business Regulation Group
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	15 Sep 2017 05:07
Last Modified:	19 Dec 2024 00:52
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/64880
DOI:	10.1111/joie.12133

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