Organization and Strategy Seminar（2015-09）

Topic：Gatekeeping Strategy and Knowledge Transfer among Platform Participants: Evidence from App Developers

Speaker:Yuchen Zhang, University of Colorado

Time: Friday,06 November, 15:30 – 17:00 pm

Location: Room 111, Guanghua Building 2

Abstract:

Organizations often emphasize the importance of knowledge transfer to create innovation. This paper examines how platform-based organizations can shape knowledge transfer among platform participants who are less regulated by hierarchies and routines. In particular, I draw on the literature of knowledge transfer and the problem-solving paradigm to study how a platform’s gatekeeping strategy shapes knowledge transfer among platform participants from both the knowledge seekers’ and knowledge providers’ perspectives. Focusing on the link between the iOS platform’s gatekeeping strategy and knowledge transfer among app developers of the iOS and Android platforms, I find that strong gatekeeping facilitates knowledge transfer among app developers of the iOS platform and that such a positive effect is particularly pronounced when innovation complexity is high.

Your participation is warmly welcomed!