In addition to the three central research areas of digital platforms (transaction platforms, innovation platforms and business applications), the group's research includes platform technologies as a basis and integrated platforms. The research approach thus covers the entire field of information systems research.
The research group focuses on multi-sided digital platforms. The platform ecosystem comprises central players that are connected to the platform and its business activities. In addition to the central company of the platform operator, the group of partners and customers should be mentioned in particular.
Investigation areas of digital platforms:
In the area of transaction platforms, multi-sided platforms that focus on bringing actors together are analysed. The study focuses on trading platforms for physical and digital goods.
Innovation platforms form the basis for realising innovation through complementors on a common platform technology. Prominent examples are platforms such as Apple iOS and Google Android, which enable the development of mobile apps by developers.
Platform-based business models:
The integrated consideration of business models within the research group ensures the interaction of technology and innovative business approaches. Platform technologies and ecosystems are understood as enablers of these. In contrast to pipeline-orientated value creation, ecosystem-based value creation is of central importance in the context of platform-based business models.
Platform technologies:
Appropriate platform technologies form the basis for the areas of investigation. For example, low-code platforms can be used to open up design options for users in application systems.
Transaction platforms
The group of transaction platforms is defined by their primary function of bringing together players from different market sides. In the context of multi-sided platforms, the focus is on the efficient consolidation of a joint transaction (e.g. product sales on an online marketplace). In a narrower sense, the platform achieves so-called matching.
Exemplary questions in the area of transaction platforms:
- What are the success factors for the successful establishment of platform-based business models in retail? (book Platform-based business models)
- How can companies with an existing business model subsequently integrate a platform-based approach into their business model? (book Platform-based business models)
- Which strategies are suitable for small and medium-sized companies to set up digital platforms? (Tool Plattform-Navigator)
- Which business model approaches are suitable for companies depending on their objectives for a digital platform? (Tool Plattform-Wahl-O-Mat)
Innovation platforms
Innovation platforms form the basis for complementary innovations by third parties. Platform partners can offer extensions based on the platform, which represent a specific extension of the platform basis. Thanks to standardised infrastructures, external innovative power can be used to the advantage of the platform by means of open innovation platforms. On platforms such as Wordpress or Salesforce, extensions offer far more functionality than the platform base itself.
Exemplary questions in the area of innovation platforms are:
- How can existing software products be developed into open innovation platforms? (book Platform-based business models)
- Which factors are decisive for the retention of development in the context of competing innovation platforms? (research paper)
- Which functions should platforms offer themselves as basic functionality? Which functions should platforms have provided by third-party partners? (Research essay)
- Should platforms incorporate partner functions into the platform core in order to give other third parties access to the functions? (Research essay)
Research projects
The research strategy of the research group provides for a combination of basic and application-orientated research. The empirically based results of the research group will be evaluated and adapted in later phases of research in application-related projects with regard to their suitability for use in companies. This ensures that our research results are transferred into practice. To this end, we are in close dialogue with companies and industry associations.
Completed:
Future research topics that the research group would like to focus on are
- Production and industry platforms to enable digitally connected production across the value chain
- Data platforms for the collection, storage, processing, provision and management of data