The business of platforms : strategy in the age of digital competition, innovation, and power

A trio of experts on high-tech business strategy and innovation reveals the principles behind the rise of platform businesses, which have become the most valuable firms globally, including the first trillion-dollar companies. In the digital era, managers and entrepreneurs must navigate both the conventional and platform economies. Business-oriented platforms operate at the industry or ecosystem level, enabling individuals and organizations to innovate and interact in unprecedented ways, creating economic value far beyond traditional companies. This in-depth examination of platform strategy and digital innovation highlights how a small number of companies exert significant influence over various aspects of our lives. The authors explain the differences between these new entities and past powerful corporations, questioning the limits of their market dominance. They also discuss the role of governments in rethinking regulations related to data privacy and antitrust to curb potential abuses by these businesses. Their aim is to equip managers and entrepreneurs to build sustainable platform businesses that can compete effectively against digital and conventional rivals. Drawing on thirty years of experience studying these firms, this book offers a timely investigation into the economic and technological forces shaping dominant players like Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, and Google, and their impact on the global economy and fut