Product Innovation and Network Survival in the U. S. ATM and Debit Card Industry

Studies product innovation and firm survival in the U.S. ATM-debit card industry. The industry started with a few shared ATM networks in the early 1970s; the number of networks grew rapidly until the mid 1980s and then declined sharply. A theoretical model is constructed to explain the industry shakeout, A major product innovation -- introducing the point of sale debit function in the mid-1980s -- played an important role in driving the network consolidation. The predictions are tested and confirmed using a novel dataset on network entry, exit, size, location, ownership and product choices. There was little advantage of being early industry entrants; rather, large networks had a better chance to adopt the product innovation and survive the shakeout. Illus.

Studies product innovation and firm survival in the U.S. ATM-debit card industry.