Investigating Digital Platforms from an Ecosystem Perspective

In this dissertation, I conduct theoretical and empirical studies to investigate the digital platforms from an ecosystem perspective. Specifically, in Study 1, I propose a new two-zoned network model to address an inadequacy in the traditional two-sided network model. The newly proposed model helps firms better understand the nature of platform competition so as to make informed decisions in this evolving landscape. In Study 2, I develop a comprehensive relationship framework for online marketplaces and define six distinct relationship types including asymmetric relationships. An analytical approach is further proposed to estimate relationships empirically and derive a set of network-based relationship metrics. I demonstrate the validity and significant impact of our proposed relationship metrics in driving apps’ future performance through a series of econometric and prediction models. In Study 3, I evaluate the impacts of data and privacy regulations on the business performance in the digital products market from an international perspective. The study reveals interesting and counterintuitive effects of data regulations in the international mobile app market. Overall, my research work highlights the importance of an ecosystem view in exploring and understanding issues and mechanisms in digital platforms. It makes great contributions to the literature ranging from the two-sided market, product networks to impacts of data and privacy regulations. It also provides significant implications for organizations, firms, practitioners, and policymakers.