Research on Effects of Compatible Complementary Assets on Customer Lock-in

Based on summarizing compatible complementary assets theory, this article constructs a model to research the effects of compatible complementary assets on customer lock-in. By applying empirical research methods and the necessary statistical techniques, we draw the following conclusions: 1) Compatible complementary assets have significant positive effects on customer lock-in, 2) Compatible complementary assets affect customer lock-in not only directly but indirectly through switching costs and technological advantages, 3) If compatibility of technologies or products with competitors´ is strong, the positive effects of compatible complementary assets on switching costs will be weakened. In the last section, we present some relevant suggestions on how firms lock customers in based on compatible complementary assets.