Strategies for platform business models : lessons learned from the field

Abstract

There is a growing interest among managers and researchers in understanding platform business models. What makes these business models special is that they are mostly asset light and rely on data, matching algorithms and cloud infrastructure. Despite the growing interest, research is still in its infancy. This work contributes to an understanding of the development process of platform business models with theoretical and practical insights. A comprehensive literature review provides information on the key elements of platform business models. The strategic issues associated with development of platforms were identified. To gain practical insights six case companies were selected that pursue a platform strategy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each of the companies to understand how the strategic issues are practically handled