How Digital Platforms Compete – Building and Sustaining Competitive Advantage

What it is about

You learn how digital platforms (e.g., Amazon, Google, Spotify, WhatsApp) build competitive advantages and defend them sustainably. Using around a dozen case studies, you analyze platform strategies, network effects, business models and dependence on network infrastructures, and you can apply these insights later to real competitive questions.

What you will be able to do

Define and apply theories of platforms and platform business models
Interpret and evaluate the behavior and performance of platform companies
Describe, compare and assess platform designs
Differentiate platform theories from previous perspectives
Assess the impact of environmental changes on platforms
Improve diagnostic and analytical problem-solving skills
Strengthen critical thinking and interpretive abilities
Develop oral argumentation and presentation skills

What the module consists of

Seminar / Case-Study-DiskussionCentral role: handling and discussion of one case per session; active participation is part of the exam
EinzelarbeitPreparation of the case studies with assigned tasks for focus

Teaching method

Case Method (Harvard-style)Enables analysis of realistic, fact-based case descriptions and practice in argumentation and decision-making
Class discussions and whiteboard notesFoster collaborative development of solutions and viewpoints
Occasional PowerPoint introductionsSystematically presents specific terms or topics

What you should already know

Englischkenntnisse für Fallvorbereitung und Diskussion
Wöchentliches Zeitbudget: mindestens 5 Stunden pro Fallrecommended

Assessment

mündliche Mitarbeitschriftliche EinzelleistungÜbung/Testat

The module grade consists of two equally weighted, individual components: 1) Oral assessment (50%): Your active participation in case discussions will be graded. For each session there are preparatory tasks; if participation is missing for valid reasons, it can be replaced by written solutions submitted in advance. A feedback session on your performance takes place mid-term. 2) Written individual exercise (50%): In the last session you receive an exercise sheet on which you present in writing, concisely, the central insights from the overall synthesis of the course discussions. Tools, duration: not specified.

Reading list

An aktualisierte Leseliste wird in der ersten Sitzung des Semesters verteilt

Dates

SeminarHow Digital Platforms Compete in the Age of AI (MGT001349, englisch) (Limited places)2 groups to choose from

AWed11:00–13:00
0514, Seminarraum (0505.EG.514)
13× · 14.10.–03.02.
- 14.10.
- 21.10.
- 04.11.
- 18.11.
- 25.11.
- 02.12.
- 09.12.
- 16.12.
- 23.12.
- 13.01.
- 20.01.
- 27.01.
- 03.02.
AWed11:00–13:003999, Seminarraum (0509.04.999)once on 11.11.
BWed11:30–13:300514, Seminarraum (0505.EG.514)once on 28.10.

From the current semester, not binding. You attend one of several groups; the timetable automatically suggests the one with the fewest clashes.

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