Lock-in strategy in network industries: A network effect perspective

This paper aims to study the lock-in strategy adopted by firms in network industries from the perspective of network effects. By introducing the network effects theory and corresponding lock-in model, it studies the rationale and practicality of lock-in strategy in network industries. Using Tencent QQ as an example, the theoretical conclusion of lock-in is applied in specific case study. It concludes that the lock-in strategy is not only feasible in theory, but also works well in reality.