Digital Platform Strategy

Mines Paris – PSL, Athens Week (MP35), November 2025 + 2026.

Course description
This course explores how digital platforms operate, compete, and innovate in today’s economy. Applying concepts from managerial economics and strategy, we examine the distinctive features of platform-based markets, particularly two-sided markets, and how they shape firm behaviour, competitive dynamics, and innovation patterns.


The course combines theoretical foundations with recent empirical findings and real-world case studies. Topics include network effects, pricing strategies, platform governance, competitive interactions within and between platforms, and the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation.

Syllabus 2025: Here

Learning objectives

  • By the end of this course, course participants will be able to:
  • Understand the economic foundations of two-sided markets and digital platforms.
  • Analyse pricing, differentiation, and market entry strategies in platform settings.
  • Evaluate competitive dynamics between platforms and complementors.
  • Assess the role of platform design and governance in shaping ecosystem outcomes.
  • Explore how AI and Big Data influence strategic decisions in platform markets.

Course format and schedule

This is an intensive, five-day course combining lectures and case-based group work. Each day is divided into two parts:

  • Morning sessions focus on the theoretical foundations of platform strategy. These sessions are lecture-based and draw on key academic papers and book chapters, supplemented with illustrative examples from today’s most prominent platform markets.
  • Afternoon sessions are dedicated to group work based on real-world case studies. Students will work in groups to analyse each case and prepare a short presentation. One group will be randomly selected to present in class, but all groups are expected to submit slides.

Key references

  • Aguiar, L., Reimers, I., & Waldfogel, J. (2024). Platforms and the transformation of the content industries. Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, 33(2), 317-326.
  • Armstrong, M. (2006). Competition in two‐sided markets. The RAND Journal of Economics, 37(3), 668-691.
  • Boudreau, K. J. (2012). Let a thousand flowers bloom? An early look at large numbers of software app developers and patterns of innovation. Organization Science, 23(5), 1409-1427.
  • Calvano, E., Calzolari, G., Denicolo, V., & Pastorello, S. (2020). Artificial intelligence, algorithmic pricing, and collusion. American Economic Review, 110(10), 3267-3297.
  • Einav, L., & Levin, J. (2014). The data revolution and economic analysis. Innovation Policy and the Economy, 14(1), 1-24.
  • Evans, D. S. (2003). Some Empirical Aspects of Multi-Sided Platform Industries. Review of Network Economics, 2(3).
  • Halaburda, H., Prince, J., Daniel Sokol, D., & Zhu, F. (2024). The business revolution: Economy‐wide impacts of artificial intelligence and digital platforms. Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, 33(2), 269-275.
  • Huang, P., Lyu, G., & Xu, Y. (2022). Quality regulation on two-sided platforms: Exclusion, subsidization, and first-party applications. Management Science, 68(6), 4415-4434.
  • Leyden, B. T. (2025). Platform design and innovation incentives: Evidence from the product rating system on Apple’s App Store. International Journal of Industrial Organization, 99, 103133.
  • Loh, J., & Nicolle, A. (2023). Competition and Value Capture in Platform Markets: Implications for Complementor Strategy. Academy of Management Proceedings, Vol. 2023, No. 1, p. 15378.
  • McIntyre, D.P., & Srinivasan, A. (2017). “Networks, platforms, and strategy: Emerging views and next steps.” Strategic Management Journal, 38: 141-160.
  • Rietveld, J., & Eggers, J. P. (2018). Demand Heterogeneity in Platform Markets: Implications for Complementors. Organization Science, 29(2), 304-322.
  • Rietveld, J., Seamans, R., & Meggiorin, K. (2021). Market orchestrators: The effects of certification on platforms and their complementors. Strategy Science, 6(3), 244-264.
  • Rochet, J. C., & Tirole, J. (2003). Platform Competition in Two-Sided Markets. Journal of the European Economic Association, 1(4), 990–1029.
  • Rysman, M. (2009). The economics of two-sided markets. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 23(3), 125-143.
  • Zhu, F., & Liu, Q. (2018). Competing with complementors: An empirical look at Amazon.com. Strategic Management Journal, 39(10), 2618-2642.