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1 – 10 of over 8000Wenfang Lin, Yifeng Wang, Georges Samara and Jintao Lu
The sustainable development of the platform economy has been hindered by the absence and alienation of platform corporate social responsibility. Previous studies have mainly…
Abstract
Purpose
The sustainable development of the platform economy has been hindered by the absence and alienation of platform corporate social responsibility. Previous studies have mainly focused on the contents and governance models for platform corporate social responsibility. This study seeks to explore which strategy participants choose in the governance of platform corporate social responsibility and their influencing factors.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a platform ecosystem approach, a quadrilateral evolutionary game model was developed, and the stabilities of subjects’ behavioral strategies and their combinations in various scenarios were analyzed. Additionally, the effects of key parameters on the system’s evolutionary path were simulated.
Findings
The ideal steady state system is achieved when platform enterprises, complementors and consumers adopt positive strategies while the government adopts lax regulation. Moreover, the evolutionary strategies of the subjects are influenced by several factors, including the participation costs of governance, the rewards and punishments imposed by platform enterprises, as well as the reputational losses of platform enterprises and complementors due to media coverage.
Practical implications
This study offers insights into improving the governance effectiveness of platform corporate social responsibility for managers and practitioners.
Originality/value
This study contributes to existing literature by considering the rational orientation of platform ecosystem members and revealing the interaction mechanisms among members. Furthermore, this study combines collective action theory and reputation theory to clarify the influencing factors on members’ behaviors.
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Xiubin Gu, Yi Qu and Zhengkui Lin
The purpose of this study is to investigate the pricing strategies for knowledge payment products, taking into account the quality level of pirated knowledge products, in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the pricing strategies for knowledge payment products, taking into account the quality level of pirated knowledge products, in the context of platform copyright supervision.
Design/methodology/approach
This study abstracts the knowledge payment transaction process and aims to maximize producer's revenue by constructing a pricing model for knowledge payment products. It discusses pricing strategies for knowledge payment products under two scenarios: traditional supervision and blockchain supervision. The analysis explores the impact of pirated knowledge products quality level and blockchain technology on pricing strategies and consumer surplus, while providing threshold conditions for effective strategies.
Findings
Deploying blockchain technology in platform operations can significantly reduce costs and increase efficiency. In both scenarios, knowledge producer needs to balance factors such as the quality of pirated knowledge products, the supervision level of platform, and consumer surplus to dynamically adjust pricing strategies in order to maximize his own revenue.
Originality/value
This study enriches the literature on the pricing models of knowledge payment products and has practical significance in guiding knowledge producer to develop effective pricing strategies under copyright supervision.
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Hanbing Xue, Qianzhou Du, Jin Liu and Yongjun Li
This study aims to investigate the moderating effects of individual social engagement on the effectiveness of freemium strategies in digital content platforms.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the moderating effects of individual social engagement on the effectiveness of freemium strategies in digital content platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study involved conducting a randomized field experiment with 74,758 consumers on a prominent e-book platform in China, comparing the effects of offering the first 50 chapters for free against no free content. Additionally, a causal random forest machine learning algorithm was applied to analyze data and optimize strategies based on individual social engagement levels.
Findings
This study indicates freemium strategies on digital content platforms can increase consumer willingness to pay but may reduce social community participation. These effects are moderated by consumers' prior social engagement, with excessive interaction leading to diminishing returns.
Practical implications
The study offers actionable insights for digital content managers, showing how tailored freemium strategies can effectively balance consumer engagement and revenue generation. The findings suggest that platforms can significantly enhance profitability by moderating free content offerings based on detailed analysis of consumer engagement histories.
Originality/value
This study enhances the understanding of freemium strategies by showcasing their dual impact on consumer willingness to pay and social engagement, and detailing the complex, non-linear effects of individual social engagement, which challenges the traditional linear assumptions in existing literature. Additionally, it provides insights for implementing mixed marketing strategies on digital platforms, where multiple strategies often interact, guiding the effective management of these complexities.
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Yong Zha, Lixiang Ren and Quan Li
This study aims to explore the dynamics between the brand manufacturer’s revenue model choice and the platform’s private label product entry strategy, specifically, (1) Under the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the dynamics between the brand manufacturer’s revenue model choice and the platform’s private label product entry strategy, specifically, (1) Under the wholesale and agency models, when should the platform introduce its private label product to compete with the manufacturer? (2) Facing the potential threat of the platform’s entry, how should the manufacturer choose between the wholesale and agency models? (3) How does the platform’s entry strategy affect the manufacturer’s price decisions and demand? (4) What are the implications of the strategic interaction between the manufacturer’s model selection and the platform’s encroachment on social welfare and consumer surplus?
Design/methodology/approach
This study develops a multistage game model consisting of a manufacturer, a platform and consumers. The model describes the strategic interaction between the manufacturer and the platform, where the manufacturer first chooses one of the revenue models from the agency model and the wholesale model, followed by the platform’s decision whether to offer its own products to enter the competition, after which the two parties set the price of their products to compete on price according to their strategies, then the consumers make purchase decisions based on the principle of utility maximization.
Findings
For the platform, to not hurt its profitability in the manufacturer channel with too much competition, lower social utility sensitivity and lower similarity of product imitation rather favor platform entry. Platform entry affects manufacturers’ retail prices and demand differently across different revenue models. Interestingly, if the social utility sensitivity and imitation similarity are moderate, when the commissions extracted by the platform are low, manufacturers still have the incentive to adopt the wholesale model rather than the agency model. In addition, platform entry into competition increases consumer surplus and social welfare only when consumer sensitivity to social utility is low.
Originality/value
The research model innovatively describes the strategic interaction between the manufacturer and the platform; to more accurately portray the consumer demand model, this model also introduces the parameters of the similarity of the platform’s products to the products of the manufacturer, as well as the social utility sensitivity of consumers. Conclusions are drawn on the choice of platform entry strategy versus the choice of revenue model for manufacturers. Relevant managerial insights are provided for both platforms and manufacturers, which partially explains the existing market situation.
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This study aims to analyze a novel phenomenon observed in recent years regarding the internationalization strategies of Chinese mobile internet e-commerce platform companies…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze a novel phenomenon observed in recent years regarding the internationalization strategies of Chinese mobile internet e-commerce platform companies, which could extend traditional internationalization theories based on the experiences of companies from developed countries and traditional Chinese industries.
Design/methodology/approach
The traditional Uppsala model and imitation learning model of firm internationalization theory do not fully explain the motivations and behaviors behind new market entry in the internationalization practices of Chinese mobile internet companies. This study begins with the new internationalization practices of Pinduoduo, the fastest-growing mobile e-commerce platform in China, with the growth desperation theory as a perspective. By drawing on grounded theory methods, it explores the motivations and entry modes of internationalization within the broader context of recent Chinese mobile internet companies expanding abroad. This provides a theoretical explanation for traditional internationalization motivation and entry mode theories based on the new phenomenon of Chinese mobile internet platforms. Additionally, using Stata software and event study methodology, the financial performance and stock market performance of Pinduoduo’s new market entry behavior are analyzed.
Findings
It posits that when enterprises face pressures related to domestic market growth constraints, they tend to adopt strategic decisions for new market entry to alleviate growth pressures based on new growth opportunities and platforms. During the process of entering new markets, enterprises tend to adopt the “Copy from China” (CFC) model to efficiently replicate the successful experiences in the Chinese market. Market selection for new entries is determined based on psychological distance.
Research limitations/implications
First, the case study provides valuable insights for other mobile internet platforms, but these insights may not be directly transferable to companies in traditional industries; second, directly replicating well-developed business operations and marketing models from the Chinese market to new global markets might face cultural adaptability issues. How could firms balance the general principles of the Chinese internet model with the unique contexts of different global markets will be a crucial focus for future research.
Practical implications
Pinduoduo’s new market entry strategy represents a microcosm of Chinese mobile internet e-commerce platform enterprises’ international expansion choices, reflecting a significant phenomenon and future trend in Chinese business practices. Against the backdrop of widespread growth bottlenecks in current Chinese mobile internet e-commerce platform companies, adopting the CFC model to explore overseas markets in the future presents an opportunity for companies to expand new growth platforms, offering insights for current business practices.
Originality/value
This paper attempts to construct a new theoretical explanation for internationalization with unique characteristics of the Chinese mobile internet industry, based on the integration of “internationalization theories – internationalization practice – comprehensive research methods.” The study enriches strategic literature on the factors influencing new market entry for Chinese mobile internet e-commerce platform companies by exploring how increased growth pressures affect their strategic decisions to enter new markets. Meanwhile, it reveals a new market-entry-mode, the CFC (Copy from China) model, which reflects current trends in the practices of Chinese mobile internet e-commerce platform companies, providing practical insights for the international expansion activities of mobile internet companies in other industries.
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Weifeng Li, Minghui Jiang and Wentao Zhan
The purpose of the paper is to construct a model that considers video purchase and then identifies the logical relationships implied by the parameters to explore video platform…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to construct a model that considers video purchase and then identifies the logical relationships implied by the parameters to explore video platform operation mechanisms.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors analyzed the video platform system using a mathematical modeling approach and numerical optimization techniques. Through pricing decisions, the authors obtained equilibrium results for the profitability of the video platforms and analyzed the favorable market factors. The authors then extended the model by analyzing the competitive strategies of the two video platforms in the market.
Findings
The authors find that advertiser profitability, ad nuisance, video sensitivity and video creator network effects are important factors influencing the pricing strategy of video platforms. During positive market conditions, video platforms tend to lower their prices until they absorb enough users. As market conditions change, the price adjustment strategies of video platforms are affected by parameter changes and inter-parameter relationships.
Originality/value
The study considers the network effects of video creators, which provides a realistic reference for scholars and managers. In addition, the authors consider the bargaining power of platforms when purchasing content. The authors provide a fresh perspective for scholars while filling a gap in the field as video platforms can acquire a portion of the content on the market by setting a purchase price.
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Feifei Shao, Nianxin Wang and Xing Wan
Research on decision rights partitioning and its impact on platform performance has predominantly focused on single rights, leading to inconclusive results. This study is driven…
Abstract
Purpose
Research on decision rights partitioning and its impact on platform performance has predominantly focused on single rights, leading to inconclusive results. This study is driven by a more nuanced objective of exploring diverse governance models that can enhance the performance of sharing platforms across different contexts. Rather than delegating single decision right to users, this approach partitions several essential decision rights concurrently throughout the transaction process. By examining the complex relationships between multiple decision rights partitioning and platform performance, this study identifies and explains suitable governance models that are tailored to specific contextual factors for improving the performance of sharing platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
Collecting data from 60 sharing platforms in China, this study employs a combination of cluster and configuration analyses to address research questions.
Findings
The study explores three strategic decision rights partitioning modes widely adopted by sharing platforms. It further identifies four governance models for sharing platforms, which are termed as conservative seller model, conservative buyer model, aggressive seller model and aggressive buyer model, related to certain contextual factors.
Originality/value
In addressing platform governance as key to sharing platform success, the study contributes to the literature by investigating how multiple-rights partitioning portfolios and strategic differentiation in decision rights partitioning can enhance platform performance.
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The optimization of transport efficiency by self-operated logistics has brought competitive advantages to platform, who is gradually developing self-operated logistics and…
Abstract
Purpose
The optimization of transport efficiency by self-operated logistics has brought competitive advantages to platform, who is gradually developing self-operated logistics and adopting the preannouncement to announce the related information in advance. The purpose of this paper is to explore the development order of self-operated logistics on platform under consideration of preannounce behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper considers the sequence of platform constructing the self-operated logistics and constructs the two-stage pricing models to analyze the optimal pricing of platforms under different preannounce strategies, including four scenarios: {no-preannounce, first mover}, {no-preannounce, second mover}, {preannounce, first mover} and {preannounce, second mover}.
Findings
The authors receive several conclusions: First, under no-preannounce scenario, regardless of the sequence of entry into self-operated logistics market, when the quality differentiation of two platforms’ self-operated logistics is moderate, the ratio pricing of two platforms at competition stage is positively correlated with quality differentiation of their self-operated logistics. Additionally, there exists the substitution effect between preannouncement and quality differentiation under no-preannounce condition, and the first-mover platform should increase the pricing of the monopoly phase until it is twice as high as its pricing during the competition phase. Interestingly, the pricing of platform and the strategy for developing self-operated logistics are symmetric between first- and second-mover scenarios.
Originality/value
First, this study analyzes the pricing and self-operated logistics construction under different preannounce strategies, enriching the interdisciplinary research on corporate marketing and providing scientific suggestions on how to use preannouncement to acquire competitive advantages. Second, this paper also considers the sequence of platform developing self-operated logistics and analyzes how platform develops self-operated logistics as well as pricing to gain first-mover and second-mover advantages. Third, this paper develops the two-stage pricing models that consider the continuity of pricing in different cycles, enriching the relevant theories and models.
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Nowadays, the main challenge in the higher education is the daunting task of transforming universities into digital era institutions. Improving HE students' competence to meet the…
Abstract
Nowadays, the main challenge in the higher education is the daunting task of transforming universities into digital era institutions. Improving HE students' competence to meet the flow of technological innovations through DT has been the focus of many countries. This task has imposed the restraint that HE institutions should implement the most effective strategies of DT. This chapter is focusing on how DT strategies play their role in making the transformation itself become germane and give its fruits. Therefore, this chapter presents the most effective DT strategies that can be implemented by HE institutions in order to prepare their students for the existing professional roles in their societies. A good DT strategy is one that connects the organization's current level of digital maturity with its future ambition. The well-known strategies in the DT field are as follows: the strategy of electronic projects, strategy of smart electronic platforms, integrated training strategy, participatory e-learning strategy, smart learning strategy, pervasive learning strategy, microlearning strategy and e-design thinking strategy, in addition to the strategy in which traditional learning methods are combined with e-learning methods. It is worth noting here that the chapter is not an attempt to favor a strategy over another or compare and contrast them to uncover their differences at any level. On the contrary, the writer will work on displaying how each strategy can be implemented in order to accomplish DT in HE instructional practices. Also, this chapter will show how complementary these strategies can be once they are utilized to reach DT.
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Karen Amissah, David Sarpong, Derrick Boakye and David John Carrington
The digital platform-based sharing economy has become ubiquitous all over the world. In this paper, we explore how market actors’ conflicting interpretations of digital platforms’…
Abstract
Purpose
The digital platform-based sharing economy has become ubiquitous all over the world. In this paper, we explore how market actors’ conflicting interpretations of digital platforms’ business models give form and shape value co-creation and capture practices in contexts marked by weak institutions and underdeveloped markets.
Design/methodology/approach
Integrating insights from the broader literature on digital platforms and the contemporary turn to “meaning-making” in social theory, we adopt a problematization method to unpack the collective contest over the interpretation of value co-creation and capture from ridesharing platforms in contexts marked by weak institutions and underdeveloped markets.
Findings
Collective contest over the interpretation of digital business models may give rise to competing meanings that may enable (or impede) digital platform providers’ ability to co-create and capture value. We present an integrative framework that delineates how firms caught up in such collective contests in contexts marked by weak institutions and underdeveloped markets may utilise such conditions as marketing resources to reset their organising logic in ways that reconcile the conflicting perspectives.
Practical implications
The paper presents propositions constituting a contribution to a meaning-making perspective on ridesharing digital platforms by offering insights into how digital business models could potentially be localised and adapted to address and align with the peculiarities of contexts. It goes further to present a theoretical model to extend our understanding of the different sources of contestation of meaning of digital platforms.
Originality/value
The meaning-making perspective on digital platforms extends our understanding of how the collective contest over interpretations of value co-creation and capture may offer a set of contradictory frames that yield possibilities for ridesharing platform providers, and their users, to assimilate the organising logic of digital business models into new categories of understanding.
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