We propose a simple theoretical model emphasizing the importance of a multi-sided platform (MSP) in fostering innovation. This model aims to assess the effects of structuring industries around an MSP on innovation dynamics and emphasizes the impact of cross-platform competition. It teaches us how to encourage cross-platform competition in terms of competition policy. The outcome is threefold. To begin, the presence of an MSP is critical for market innovation. Second, our findings indicate that skewed market power in favor of the MSP may stifle innovation in this industry, even if the negative impact on the industry’s rate of innovation is not immediately apparent. Finally, we demonstrate that industries with multiple MSPs have a higher rate of innovation. The model’s conclusions emphasize the critical importance of preserving the contestability of digital markets through competition rules enforcement. Even if the inherent technical characteristics of this industry result in a situation of dominance, competition rules should aim to preserve the possibility of market competition through, among other things, interoperability requirements, data portability requirements, and control of exclusivity clauses.

我们提出了一个简单的理论模型，强调多边平台（MSP）在促进创新中的重要性。该模型旨在评估围绕 MSP 构建行业对创新动态的影响，并强调跨平台竞争的影响。它教会我们如何在竞争政策方面鼓励跨平台竞争。结果是三倍的。首先，MSP 的存在对于市场创新至关重要。其次，我们的研究结果表明，偏向于 MSP 的市场力量可能会扼杀该行业的创新，即使对行业创新率的负面影响并未立即显现。最后，我们证明了拥有多个 MSP 的行业具有更高的创新率。该模型的结论强调了通过执行竞争规则来保持数字市场的可竞争性至关重要。即使该行业的固有技术特征导致主导地位，竞争规则也应旨在通过互操作性要求、数据可移植性要求和排他性条款控制等方式来保持市场竞争的可能性。