Publications
Publications
- December 2007
- Information Systems Research
Adoption of Information Technology under Network Effects
By: Deishin Lee and Haim Mendelson
Abstract
Because information technologies are often characterized by network effects, compatibility is an important issue. Although total network value is maximized when everyone operates in one compatible network, we find that the technology benefits of the users depend on vendor incentives, which are driven by the existence of “de facto” or “de jure” standards. In head-to-head competition, customers are better off “letting a thousand flowers bloom,” fostering fierce competition which results in a de facto standard if users prefer compatibility over individual fit, or a split market, if fit is more important. In contrast, firms that sponsor these products are better off establishing an upfront, de jure standard to lessen the competitive effects of a network market. However, if a firm is able to enter the market first, by choosing a proprietary/incompatible technology, it can use a “divide and conquer” strategy to increase its profit compared to head-to-head competition, even when there are no switching costs. When there is a first mover, the early adopters, who are “locked-in” because of switching costs, never regret their decision to adopt, whereas the late adopters, who are not subject to switching costs, are exploited by the incumbent firm. Whereas in head-to-head competition, customers are unified in their preference for incompatibility, when there is a first mover, late adopters prefer de jure compatibility since they bear the brunt of the first-mover advantage. This again underscores the interdependence of user net benefits and vendor strategies.
Keywords
Network Effects; Standards; Competitive Strategy; Customization and Personalization; Information Technology; Technology Adoption
Citation
Lee, Deishin, and Haim Mendelson. "Adoption of Information Technology under Network Effects." Information Systems Research 18, no. 4 (December 2007).