Insights@Questrom Live: Pros and Cons of Decentralized Platforms

It is well-known that centralized platforms with network effects are the most powerful businesses on the planet (e.g. Airbnb, Alibaba, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft). But blockchain technologies and smart contracts have given rise to the emergence of decentralized platforms, i.e. platforms that are not completely controlled by a single corporate entity. In this exciting 1-hour session, Professor Andrei Hagiu, Dean’s Research Scholar and Associate Professor in Information Systems and recognized expert on platform businesses, will discuss the advantages and drawbacks of decentralized platforms, and the extent to which they can challenge “traditional”, centralized platforms.