Prof. Julian Wright (National University of Singapore)

Program 1

Date: May 27, 2019

Time: 12.00 - 13.30 hrs

Place: Kaulbachstraße 45, 202

Title: Is data the new network effect?

Abstract

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Program 2

Date: June 5, 2019

Time: 10.30 - 12.00 hrs

Place: Kaulbachstraße 45, 202

Title: Search platforms – showrooming and price parity clauses

Abstract

We provide a model in which consumers search for firms directly or through platforms. Platforms lower search costs but charge firms for the transactions they facilitate. Platform fees raise the possibility of showrooming, in which
consumers search on a platform but then switch and buy directly to take advantage of lower direct prices. In settings like this, search platforms like Amazon’s marketplace and Booking.com have adopted price parity clauses,
requiring firms offer their best prices on the platform, arguing this is needed to prevent showrooming. We use our model to evaluate the implications of showrooming and price parity clauses.

Program 3

Date: June 25, 2019

Time: 12.00 - 13.30 hrs

Place: Professor-Huber-Platz 2, VU104

Title: Competing with data-enabled learning

Abstract

We provide a model of firm competition when firms can improve their products through learning from the customers they serve ("data-enabled learning"). The model incorporates learning-by-doing and network effects as special cases, and distinguishes between learning that happens across users and within users. Among other comparative statics, we explore the effect of the shape of the learning curve on an entrant's ability to compete with an incumbent.
We also show how network effects can arise endogenously due to the combination of across-user and within-user learning.