Campbell-Kelly, Martin, Garcia-Swartz, Daniel D. and Layne-Farrar, Anne. (2008) The evolution of network industries: lessons from the conquest of the online frontier, 1979-95. Industry and Innovation, Vol.15 (No.4). pp. 435-455. ISSN 1366-2716

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Abstract

In this paper we dissect the competitive dynamics of a network industry that has not been systematically studied in the past-the consumer-oriented online networks of the pre- 1995 era. After briefly reconstructing the historical evolution of the industry we focus on a number of issues at the intersection of theory and data: the importance of direct and indirect network effects, tipping to a dominant player and the entry strategies adopted by two different waves of entrants. We also analyse price wars and the displacement of the leader in the first half of the 1990s. In the final section we focus on some remaining puzzles that suggest directions for further theoretical and empirical research.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Electronic computers. Computer science. Computer software
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Computer Science
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Computer networks -- Economic aspects, Online information services -- Economic aspects, CompuServe (Online service), Source Telecomputing Corporation
Journal or Publication Title:	Industry and Innovation
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	1366-2716
Date:	2008
Volume:	Vol.15
Number:	No.4
Number of Pages:	21
Page Range:	pp. 435-455
Identification Number:	10.1080/13662710802239513
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	Microsoft Corporation
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/28536

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