Economic and business perspectives on smartphones as multi-sided platforms
Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of the smartphone industry from the perspective of multi-sided platform theory. It analyzes the various strategies that mobile operating systems have relied on to solve the chicken-and-egg problem at the starting point. On the basis of survey evidence it also examines the approaches that mobile platforms have adopted to sustain momentum with consumers (users). Sustaining momentum with users has often required that the platform engage a variety of other customer types; thus, our study also analyzes the way in which mobile platforms have interacted, for example, with network carriers, third-party app developers, and advertisers. Finally, our study also provides an interpretation of the relative success of Apple?s and Google?s mobile platforms.
smartphones mobile operating systems consumer behavior multi-sided platform markets