Kalan Horton of Rochester Institute of Technology was a recipient of the Early Career Research Grant program. Learn more about their work:
What is your research question/topic?
In the context of platform based ecosystems we ask: how does the nature of user-to-user connections affect value creation in networked products?
What are you hoping to accomplish through your research?
Through the use of a randomized controlled experiment using a custom-built video game platform this research seeks to provide evidence as to which type of user interaction (competitive, cooperative, mixed, or none) generates the greatest user value in products/services with network effects.
What impact could this research have more broadly on the field of strategic management?
What impact could this research have more broadly on the field of strategic management?
This research will demonstrate which user connection strategy maximizes value in a networked environment. The incorporation of social features into products is prominent coinciding with the ubiquity of internet access and social media. But leaders of platforms and products/services with network effects need evidence to guide their strategic choices. The study stands to deliver much-needed empirical evidence to guide the design of features in platform ecosystems.
What SMS resources (members, workshops, events, etc.) were helpful to you during the application process?
Many thanks to Sekou Bermiss for his guidance and encouragement. We also thank Clyde Hull for his recommendation of the project to the Strategic Research Foundation.
Who inspires you the most to do this work? (whether that is professionally or personally).
Mostly my fellow gamers within the Strategic Management Society! Each time I present my work at SMS, the passion and zeal in their eyes when we reflect on past experiences and what we currently play is motivating. Strategy comes from games, so those who have made such scholarly impact with the study of them (Joost Rietveld, Hakan Ozalp, Joe Ploog, Carmelo Cennamo, and so many others) inspire me to continue this work!