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arXiv:1401.6170cs.CY

Fools gold? Developer dilemmas in a closed mobile application market platform

Joni Salminen, Jose Teixeira

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Abstract

In this paper, we outline some potential conflicts that platform owners and software developers face in mobile application markets. Our arguments are based on comments captured in specialized online discussion forums, in which developers gather to share knowledge and experiences. The key findings indicate conflicts of interests, including 1) intra-platform competition, 2) discriminative promotion, 3) entry prevention, 4) restricted monetization, 5) restricted knowledge sharing, 6) substitution, and 7) strategic technology selection. Opportunistic platform owners may use their power to discriminate between third-part software developers. However, there are also potential strategic solutions that developers can apply; for example diversification (multi-homing), syndication and brand building.

arXiv comments
Presented at the 15th International Conference on Electronic Commerce, ICEC 2013, Turku, Finland, August 13-15, 2013
Journal reference
DOI
doi:10.1007/978-3-642-39808-7_11
Subjects
cs.CYComputers and Society

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  • Why App Store is Fool's Gold for Most Developers3 points0 comments

    Hi everyone, we recently wrote a paper that explores the unfavorable situation most developers are facing in app marketplaces. Due to high intra-platform competition and platform owner's power in determining rules of visibility, revenue sharing and ways to monetize, most developers are unlikely to make profit with their apps. This is in contrast what platform owners would like developers to believe by disseminating success stories. All is fine as long as developers understand that success…

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