Tying with Network Effects

Abstract

We develop a leverage theory of tying in markets with network effects. When a monopolist in one market cannot perfectly extract surplus from consumers, tying can be a mechanism through which unexploited consumer surplus is used as a demand-side leverage to create a “quasi-installed base” advantage in another market characterized by network effects. Our mechanism does not require any precommitment to tying; rather, tying emerges as a best response that lowers the quality of tied-market rivals. While tying can lead to exclusion of tied-market rivals, it can also expand use of the tying product, leading to ambiguous welfare effects.

Reference

Doh-Shin Jeon, Jay Pil Choi, and Michael Whinston, “Tying with Network Effects”, TSE Working Paper, n. 1524, April 2024, revised May 2025.