Jonathan A. Knee - The Platform Delusion - Who Wins and Who Loses in the Age of Tech Titans

Jonathan Knee delivers a precise, irreverent, and informative diagnosis of Big Tech. The Platform Delusion explains why the largest companies succeed, including why we consumers let them run amuck. Required reading.

Sudhir Venkatesh, author of Gang Leader for a Day and William B. Ransford Professor of Sociology at Columbia University

Knees book is an invaluable guide for anyone trying to understand how the platform economy works. His critical lens uncovers often overlooked aspects of platforms. Definitely a must-read.

Bradley Tusk, cofounder and managing partner, Tusk Ventures

The CEOs of the tech giants know where their competitive advantages really come frombut theyre not telling. Jonathan Knee debunks the conventional wisdom and explains how these companies dominate.

Geoff Colvin, bestselling author of Talent Is Overrated and senior editor, Fortune

Jonathan Knee has created the essential framework to analyze digital platforms. Indispensable, entertaining reading for anyone interested in how these businesses work and create value.

Jeremy G. Philips, general partner, Spark Capital

Thought-provoking and counterintuitive, Jonathan Knees The Platform Delusion is a must-read for anyone interested in the secrets of successful technology businesses.

Alex Kantrowitz, author of Always Day One and founder of Big Technology

As usual, Jonathan Knee has written with unique insight and clarity on network effects and platform economics. Anyone interested in separating myths from reality in these areas whether for business or investment purposes will find this book essential.

Bruce Greenwald, Heilbrunn Professor of Finance, Columbia Business School, and author of Value Investing: From Graham to Buffet and Beyond

Knee is a talented and engaging writer. Agree with him or not on digital business models, he doesnt just accept commonly held assumptions but encourages the type of critical thinking that is so important for both policy makers and investors.

Justin Muzinich, former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury

Anyone competing in or investing in the digital economy should read Jonathan Knees The Platform Delusion. Knee looks insightfully into the business models of such tech stars as Facebook, Netflix, Google, Amazon, Apple and Airbnb, overturning conventional wisdom and delivering valuable lessons for big companies as well as start-ups.

Steve Swartz, president and CEO, Hearst

If you invest in a digital platform, work for one of them, or compete with the platforms (so thats everybody) you need to read this book. You will understand how the platforms got where they are and where theyre going, which new digital darlings will succeed or fail, and why. A brilliant, indispensable bible not only for those in platform businesses, but also for those in all businesses.

Jeff Bewkes, former chairman and CEO, Time Warner

The term platform has become one of the most overused terms in the tech world. This book is a brilliant and practical examination of what a platform really is and why it matters for success in tech.

Deven Parekh, managing director, Insight Partners

Knee outlines what truly sets digital winners apart by returning to the fundamentals. A powerful reminder that the principles of competitive advantage endure even in digital environments.

Bill Ford, chairman and CEO, General Atlantic

An impressive book that digs under conventional wisdom about the digital economy and addresses its unprecedented complexity, with essential insights for business leaders and policy makers. The Platform Delusion is timely, important, and illuminating.

Julius Genachowski, managing director, Carlyle, and former chair, Federal Communications Commission

Jonathan Knee has done a great service to managers, investors, regulators, and students by cutting away all the fanciful thinking about platform companies and by showing how the standard tools of competitive analysis apply effectively to let us understand these businesses.

John Roberts, John. H. Scully Professor of Economics and Strategic Management Emeritus, Stanford Graduate School of Business and author of The Modern Firm

Portfolio / Penguin

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

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Copyright 2021 by Jonathan A. Knee

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Knee, Jonathan A., author.

Title: The platform delusion : who wins and who loses in the age of tech titans / Jonathan A. Knee.

Description: 1st Edition. | New York : Portfolio / Penguin, 2021. | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021005704 (print) | LCCN 2021005705 (ebook) | ISBN 9780593189436 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780593189443 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Success in business. | Entrepreneurship. | Electronic commerce. | Internet marketingManagement. | Industrial management. | Competition.

Classification: LCC HF5386 .K64 2021 (print) | LCC HF5386 (ebook) | DDC 658dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021005704

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021005705

Cover design: Brian Lemus

Cover image: Tohey KHR / Shutterstock

Book design by Ellen Cipriano, adapted for ebook by Cora Wigen

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In memory of my beloved mother, Rokki Knee Carr, a force of nature