Platform ecosystems and app stores

Business models

Owning the layer that third parties build on, and taxing what they sell.

6 books

Start here

  1. After SteveTripp Mickle, 2022
  2. Platform RevolutionGeoffrey G. Parker, Marshall W. Van Alstyne, Sangeet Paul Choudary, 2016
  3. Platform LeadershipAnnabelle Gawer, Michael A. Cusumano, 2002

Books 6

Information Rules
T1 Information Rules
Carl Shapiro, Hal R. Varian · 1998 · Lock-in, switching costs and versioning; still the sharpest account of information economics.
Open Library
Mohnish PabraiTim O’Reilly
Platform Revolution
T1 Platform Revolution
Geoffrey G. Parker, Marshall W. Van Alstyne, Sangeet Paul Choudary · 2016 · The standard text on network effects, governance and platform pricing.
Open Library
Reid Hoffman
Platform Leadership
T2 Platform Leadership
Annabelle Gawer, Michael A. Cusumano · 2002 · Intel, Microsoft, Cisco and the levers a platform owner pulls on its ecosystem.
Open Library
Invisible Engines
T2 Invisible Engines
David S. Evans, Andrei Hagiu, Richard Schmalensee · 2006 · Software platforms as the multi-sided engines under other industries.
Open Library
The Business of Platforms
T2 The Business of Platforms
Michael A. Cusumano, Annabelle Gawer, David B. Yoffie · 2019 · Innovation platforms versus transaction platforms, and why most fail.
Open Library
After Steve
T3 After Steve
Tripp Mickle · 2022 · Apple's services turn, and the App Store commission that funds it.
Open Library