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KDI 경제교육·정보센터

ENG
  • 경제배움
  • Economic

    Information

    and Education

    Center

최신자료
Non-User Externalities
NBER
2026.10.12
We review an emerging literature on how non-user externalities-the benefits or harms that product adoption imposes differentially on non-users versus users-shape market outcomes. We first present a unified framework that distinguishes non-user externalities from network effects and classic externalities, such as pollution. A key distinction is that those harmed by classic externalities cannot mitigate harm by joining the externality-producing activity, whereas those harmed by negative non-user externalities can-simply by becoming users. This can expand the harm borne by remaining non-users, generating cascade dynamics that can culminate in product market traps: situations in which individuals would prefer the product not to exist, yet nonetheless choose to adopt it rather than remaining non-users. Using new survey evidence covering 25 product markets, we document that negative non-user externalities are pervasive, that the mechanisms behind them differ systematically across products, and that they generate adoption pressure on non-users. We then discuss how non-user externalities affect welfare analysis, firms’ strategic incentives, and market structure. We conclude by discussing policy responses, including design regulation and collective coordination mechanisms.
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