Essays on the impact of online platforms on the profitability of hospitaly businesses

Over the past two decades, technology has transformed daily business activities. As a consequence, online platforms have emerged as new marketplaces, media channels and creative content outlets, offering opportunities and new challenges. Online platforms have brought convenience and efficiency and enabled firms to reach out to a vast majority of customers. Customers also enjoy shopping from the long list of product/service options brought together by the online platforms, after consulting the reviews and feedback of past customers. As profitability is a key objective of any business, the question on the effects of an online platform on the profitability of a firm is a legitimate concern. This dissertation consists of three studies investigating the impact of online platforms on the profitability of Belgian hospitality businesses. The studies are deliberately conducted in Belgium because Belgian company law requires all firms (including non-listed firms and SMEs) to disclose their financial reports in a detailed formatPublic defense: 2022-03-29Over the past two decades, technology has transformed daily business activities. As a consequence, online platforms have emerged as new marketplaces, media channels and creative content outlets, offering opportunities and new challenges. Online platforms have brought convenience and efficiency and enabled firms to reach out to a vast majority of customers. Customers also enjoy shopping from the long list of product/service options brought together by the online platforms, after consulting the reviews and feedback of past customers. As profitability is a key objective of any business, the question on the effects of an online platform on the profitability of a firm is a legitimate concern. This dissertation consists of three studies investigating the impact of online platforms on the profitability of Belgian hospitality businesses. The studies are deliberately conducted in Belgium because Belgian company law requires all firms (including non-listed firms and SMEs) to disclose their financial reports in a detailed formatD