Platform rules
Subtitle: multi-sided platforms as regulators
By: Kevin J. Boudreau and Andrei Hagiu
Contributors: Hagiu, Andrei, 1977-; Harvard Business School
Series: Working paper / Harvard Business School -- 09-061; Working paper (Harvard Business School) -- 09-061
Publisher: Harvard Business School
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Boston
Language: eng
Number of pages: 30
Description: This paper provides a basic conceptual framework for interpreting non-price instruments used by multi-sided platforms (MSPs) by analogizing MSPs as "private regulators" who regulate access to and interactions around the platform. We present evidence on Facebook, TopCoder, Roppongi Hills and Harvard Business School to document the "regulatory" role played by MSPs. We find MSPs use nuanced combinations of legal, technological, informational and other instruments (including price-setting) to implement desired outcomes. Non-price instruments were very much at the core of MSP strategies.
Notes: "October 2008"--Publisher's web site.

Includes bibliographical references.