Bundling cloud software to fight piracy
An economic analysis
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12420574 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Xiong Zhang (0000-0001-5173-6470, Beijing Jiaotong University, corresponding author), Wei Thoo Yue (0000-0002-1344-153X, City University of Hong Kong), Wendy Hui (0000-0001-6974-0216) |
| Year | 2019 |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 191-241 |
| Publication date | 2019-07-26 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Internet Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1066-2243 • E-ISSN: 2054-5657 |
| Publisher | Emerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1108/intr-10-2018-0455 |
| OpenAlex | W2963624607 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 32 |
Purpose The emergence of internet-enabled technology has led to the software service model in which the software firm, instead of the consumer, maintains software ownership. This model can curtail software piracy more effectively than the traditional on-premises software model. However, software firms are not abandoning traditional on-premises software but embracing both models simultaneously. In this study, the authors consider a firm’s software bundling decision in combination with its piracy deterrence strategy. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The authors build three stylized models to analytically compare the bundling strategies under three scenarios: no piracy, piracy is present and piracy is present while the firm applies digital rights management (DRM). Findings The authors find pure bundling (PB) to be the optimal strategy due to the combination of competition and cannibalization effects in mixed bundling (MB). Simultaneously, consumers may enjoy greater surplus in PB than in MB, making PB the preferred strategy for both the firm and consumers. Interestingly, the win-win outcome coexists with some degree of piracy in the market. Originality/value The results provide important insights for firms and policy-makers and contribute to the literature on piracy and product bundling. First, the authors show piracy could be another driver for product bundling, which has never been discussed in prior literature. Second, the authors suggest an alternative perspective; that PB may be a desirable outcome for both firms and consumers when considering piracy and DRM. More surprisingly, this desirable outcome occurs with some level of piracy in the market. The presence of piracy leads to competition and cannibalization effects in MB, which eventually results in the win-win outcome in the software market for both the firm and the consumers
Business · Cannibalization · Collusion · Competition (biology · Deterrence theory · Economic surplus · Economics · Industrial organization · Market economy · Microeconomics · Originality · Outcome (game theory · Product (mathematics · Software as a service · Software development · Stylized fact · Auction Theory and Applications · Computer Science · Copyright and Intellectual Property · Digital Platforms and Economics · Law · Marketing · Software
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,25 |
| Citation span | 2022 - 2022 (1) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |