Bridging differing perspectives on technological platforms: Toward an integrative framework

An integrative framework is proposed to advance management research on technological platforms, bridging two theoretical perspectives: economics, which sees platforms as double-sided markets, and engineering design, which sees platforms as technological architectures. While the economic perspective informs our understanding of platform competition, the engineering design perspective informs our view of platform innovation. The article argues that platforms can be usefully conceptualized as evolving organizations or meta-organizations that: (1) federate and coordinate constitutive agents who can innovate and compete; (2) create value by generating and harnessing economies of scope in supply or/and in demand;…

• BA
  British Academy of Management
• BA
  British Academy
• EA
  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

  Awards: EP/K003542/1, EP/K003542/2