One-Sided Logic in Two-Sided Markets

In this paper the author considers eight basic fallacies that can arise from using conventional wisdom from one-sided markets in two-sided market settings. These fallacies are illustrated using statements made in the context of regulatory investigations into credit card schemes in Australia and the United Kingdom. The author also discusses how these fallacies may be reconciled by proper use of a two-sided market analysis, making reference to the relevant economics literature where applicable. The analysis is supported by observations on other two-sided markets.

Multihoming and compatibility

This paper analyzes the consequences of multihoming on private and social incentives for compatibility. Multihoming occurs in our model when consumers buy from both of two competing firms so as to capture network benefits. We address whether the ability of consumers to multihome means policymakers do not need to worry about compatibility between ‘networks’.

Price Structure in Two-sided Markets: Evidence from the Magazine Industry?

We present and estimate a model of competition in a two-sided market: the market for magazine readership and advertising. Using data on magazines in Germany, we find evidence that magazines have properties of two-sided markets. The results are consistent with the perception that prices for readers are "subsidized" and magazines make most of their money from advertisers. Consistent with advertisers valuing readers more than readers value advertisements, our results imply that higher demand or lower costs on the reader side increase ad rates, but that higher demand or lower costs on the advertising side decrease cover prices. --

Vertical Limit pricing

A new theory of limit pricing is provided which works through the vertical contract signed between an incumbent manufacturer and a retailer. We establish conditions under which the incumbent can obtain full monopoly profits, even if the potential entrant is more efficient. A key feature of the optimal vertical contract we describe is quantity discounting, typically involving three-part incremental-units or all-units tariffs, with a marginal wholesale price that is below the incumbent’s marginal cost for sufficiently large quantities.limit pricing, vertical contracts, multi-part tariffs.

Competing Payment Schemes

This paper presents a model of competing payment schemes. Unlike previous work on generic twosided markets, the model allows for the fact that in a payment system users on one side of the market (merchants) compete to attract users on the other side (consumers who may use cards for purchases). It analyzes how competition between card associations and between merchants affects the choice of interchange fees, and thus the structure of fees charged to cardholders and merchants. Implications for other two-sided markets are discussed.

Entry deterrrence via renegotiation-proof non-exclusive contracts

We establish the entry-deterring role of vertical contracts in a setting that does not rely on asymmetric information, the exclusivity of the incumbent’s contracts, limits on distribution channels, or restrictions on the ability to renegotiate contracts in case of entry. The optimal contract we describe is a three-part quantity discounting contract that involves the payment of an allowance to the downstream firm and a marginal wholesale price below the incumbent’s marginal cost for sufficiently large quantitiesentry, vertical contracts, exclusivity, renegotiation

How Do Firms Choose Their Lenders? An Empirical Investigation

This article investigates which firms borrow directly from the capital markets and which raise funds through intermediaries. Our empirical results show that large companies with abundant cash and collateral tap the credit markets directly. These markets cater to safe and profitable industries, and are most active when riskless rates or intermediary earnings are low. We show that determinants of lender selection sharpen during investment downturns and that there are substantial asymmetries in the way firms enter and exit capital markets. These results support a theoretical framework where intermediaries have better reorganizational skills but a higher cost of capital than bondholders

Exclusive dealing with network effects

This paper explores the ability of an incumbent to use exclusive deals or introductory offers to dominate a market in the face of entry when network effects rather than scale economies are present. When consumers can only join one or other firm, the incumbent will make discriminatory o ers that are anticompetitive and ine cient. Allowing consumers to multihome, we find o ers that only require consumers to commit to purchase from the incumbent are not anticompetitive, while contracts which prevent consumers from also buying from the entrant in the future are anticompetitive and ine cient. The finding extends to two-sided markets, where the incumbent signs up "sellers" exclusively with attractive offers and exploits "buyers"

Interchange fees in various countries: developments and determinants

Interchange fees and related issues in credit and debit card markets have been the focus of considerable attention in recent years. The academic community has begun to address the economics of these markets. Public officials have begun to address the policy implications of developments in these markets. Meanwhile, these markets continue to experience dynamic change as credit, and especially debit, transactions account for an ever-growing share of overall payments. This paper provides an overview of interchange fee developments and issues in a number of countries. It also presents a preliminary analysis of some possible contributing factors. The principal conclusion of the paper is that interchange arrangements vary considerably across countries, and while existing economic theory provides some insight into fee levels and movements, much remains to be explained. A number of complex and interrelated factors, many country-specific, play a role in interchange developments.Credit cards ; Debit cards