Platforms · Empirical study of Apple iOS

Strategic Drivers of Core Expansion on Software Platforms

Information Systems Research · 2024

André Halckenhaeusser, Jens Forderer, Armin Heinzl, Ola Henfridsson

Original paper ↗

Summary

Core expansion can improve ecosystem value by addressing underperforming peripheral areas.

For your marketing

Possible founder application

Prioritize core features or first-party complements where they repair weak ecosystem areas.

Reported result

What the study found

Core expansion can improve ecosystem value by addressing underperforming peripheral areas.

Research question

What the authors investigated

How does the study’s stated design explain its reported outcome in this setting?

Design

Empirical study of Apple iOS

Sample and setting

Apple iOS apps and platform expansions

Scope and transfer

Limitations to keep in view

Single platform context limits generalization.

Research sources

abstract_only

Study strength

3.5/5 Abstract-level evidence is useful for framing questions; verify full methods before transfer.

How this was assessed

The 1–5 evidence-check score is a practical reading aid, not a formal peer review or a probability that a conclusion is true. It combines design strength (2 points), sample reporting (1), comparison/control clarity (1), and how much of the paper could be checked (1). Access affects how confidently this directory can assess a study, not the study's underlying quality. Blinding is reported separately because it is not relevant to every design.

Design transparency · 2/2

Based on the reported study design in the retrieved source.

Sample and setting · 1/1

The sample context is stated; a numerical count is preserved only when reported.

Outcome clarity · 1/1

The finding is summarized from publisher or article metadata.

Access for checking · 0.5/1

Only abstract or bibliographic access was confirmed.

Double-blind? The retrieved publisher record does not establish whether participants or outcome assessors were blinded.

Read the paper