A Survey of the Economic Role of Software Platforms in Computer-based Industries

David Evans, Andrei Hagiu and Richard Schmalensee

CESifo Economic Studies, 2005, vol. 51, issue 2-3, 189-224

Abstract: Software platforms are a critical component of the computer systems underpinning leading-edge products ranging from third-generation mobile phones to video games. After describing some key economic features of computer systems and software platforms, the paper presents case studies of personal computers, video games, personal digital assistants, smart mobile phones, and digital content devices. It then compares several economic aspects of these businesses including their industry evolution, pricing structures, and degrees of integration. (JEL L86, L11, L15)

Date: 2005
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/cesifo/51.2-3.189 (application/pdf)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
Working Paper: A Survey of the Economic Role of Software Platforms in Computer-Based Industries (2004)
Working Paper: A SURVEY OF THE ECONOMIC ROLE OF SOFTWARE PLATFORMS IN COMPUTER - BASED INDUSTRIES (2004)
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:oup:cesifo:v:51:y:2005:i:2-3:p:189-224.

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://academic.oup.com/journals

Access Statistics for this article

CESifo Economic Studies is currently edited by Panu Poutvaara

More articles in CESifo Economic Studies from CESifo Group Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, UK. Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Oxford University Press ().