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Two-sided competition with vertical differentiation

Author

Listed:
  • Guillaume Roger

    (The University of Sydney)

Abstract

This paper studies duopoly in which two-sided platforms compete in differentiated products in a two-sided market. Direct competition on both sides leads to results that depart from much of the current literature. Under some conditions the unique equilibrium in pure strategies can be computed. It features discounts on one side and muted differentiation as the cross-market externality intensifies competition. Less standard, that equilibrium fails to exist when the externality is too powerful (that side becomes too lucrative). A mixed-strategy equilibrium always exists and is characterized. These results are robust to variations in the extensive form. The model may find applications in the media, internet trading platforms, search engine competition, social media or even health insurance (HMO/PPO).

Suggested Citation

  • Guillaume Roger, 2017. "Two-sided competition with vertical differentiation," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 120(3), pages 193-217, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jeczfn:v:120:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s00712-016-0507-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s00712-016-0507-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Maria Rosa Battaggion & Serena Marianna Drufuca, 2020. "Quality competition and entry: a media market case," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 130(1), pages 1-36, June.
    2. Francesco Angelini & Corrado Benassi & Massimiliano Castellani, 2021. "Platform competition and willingness to pay in a vertical differentiated two-sided market," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 41(2), pages 772-780.
    3. Yongrui Duan & Yao Ge & Yixuan Feng, 2022. "Pricing and personal data collection strategies of online platforms in the face of privacy concerns," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 539-559, June.
    4. Elias Carroni, 2018. "Behaviour-based price discrimination with cross-group externalities," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 125(2), pages 137-157, October.
    5. Keisuke Hattori & Keisaku Higashida, 2023. "Who should be regulated: Genuine producers or third parties?," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 138(3), pages 249-286, April.
    6. Yang Geng & Yulin Zhang & Jing Li, 2023. "Two-sided competition, platform services and online shopping market structure," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 138(2), pages 95-127, March.
    7. Guillaume Roger, 2009. "Media Concentration With Free Entry," Journal of Media Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(3), pages 134-163.
    8. Liu, He & Qiao, Han & Wang, Shouyang & Li, Yuze, 2019. "Platform Competition in Peer-to-Peer Lending Considering Risk Control Ability," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 274(1), pages 280-290.
    9. Zhou, Xiaoyang & Chen, Kexin & Wen, Haoyu & Lin, Jun & Zhang, Kai & Tian, Xin & Wang, Shouyang & Lev, Benjamin, 2021. "Integration of third-party platforms: Does it really hurt them?," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Two-sided market; Vertical differentiation; Industrial organization; Platform competition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality

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