4.2. Forming abstracted strategy networks
To analyze competition and collaboration levels among the ecosystems, we utilized network analysis. We formed
weighted competition and collaboration networks for each platform by using the WDMEAN (calculated for each assessment)
as the weight for the edge between the corresponding platform and corresponding abstracted actor in the ecosystem. For
example, the WDMEAN calculated from responses for the question in which Google’s competition was assessed with regard
to phone manufacturers formed the weighted edge between the Google and the phone manufacturer actor. The weighted
competition and collaboration networks (what we call abstracted strategy networks) for Google and Apple are illustrated
in Fig. 4. Following the Likert scale value interpretation for the survey responses, for the aggregated value the value 0 represents
non-existent competition/collaboration (i.e., no edge) and the value 4 represents very strong competition/
collaboration.
Some questions in the survey involved assessment of change in the strategy. These involved both historical changes (before–
now) and anticipated future changes (now–after). For example, experts were asked to assess the change in Apple’s policy
to allow developers to use third-party advertisement service providers in addition to Apple’s own advertisement
network. Based on experts’ assessments, Apple’s competition level with regard to advertisement service provider actors decreased
from 2.79 to 2.06 and its collaboration level increased from 0.96 to 1.94. This is illustrated in Fig. 4 with two values
for the edge connecting Apple and the advertisement service provider (ADP) actor. Since it represents a before–now situation,
it is symbolized with a single angle bracket between the weights. Similarly, the edges between Google and phone (PMF)
and tablet manufactures (TMF) represent a now–after situation (symbolized with a double-angle bracket) in which experts
assessed that Google’s competition level with regard to these actors has increased and collaboration level decreased, based