Three layers of abstraction: a conceptual framework for theorizing digital multi-sided platforms

Martin Poniatowski, Hedda Lüttenberg, Daniel Beverungen and Dennis Kundisch ()
Additional contact information
Martin Poniatowski: Paderborn University
Hedda Lüttenberg: Paderborn University
Daniel Beverungen: Paderborn University
Dennis Kundisch: Paderborn University

Information Systems and e-Business Management, 2022, vol. 20, issue 2, No 1, 257-283

Abstract: Abstract The digital economy has brought about multi-sided platforms as superior configurations for value co-creation. However, the academic discourse on platforms is scattered across academic disciplines—including management, information systems, and economics. Based on a systematic literature review of 140 papers from nine disciplines, we inductively develop a framework that provides a conceptual point of reference for conducting boundary-spanning research on digital multi-sided platforms. Systematizing the identified concepts, we introduce three layers of abstraction: conceptualizing platforms as information systems, as systems for actor engagement, or as ecosystems. Our framework conceptualizes digital multi-sided platforms as nested hierarchies of systems that are shaped by, and in interaction with, their environment. This view focuses on designing IT artifacts, governance mechanisms, and strategies for platforms in terms of how they interact with their environment. Practitioners can use our insights to analyze, design, and manage platforms aimed at establishing a sustainable competitive advantage.

Keywords: Multi-sided platform; Digital platform; Conceptual framework; Literature review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10257-021-00513-8 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:infsem:v:20:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10257-021-00513-8

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer. ... ystems/journal/10257

DOI: 10.1007/s10257-021-00513-8

Access Statistics for this article

Information Systems and e-Business Management is currently edited by Jörg Becker and Michael J. Shaw

More articles in Information Systems and e-Business Management from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().