Exploration of a mobility service platform architecture. Learnings from a stopped project

The case of exploratory projects, for which the market and technology are yet to be defined, raises new questions when linked to a platform construction perspective. In fact, given its nature, the ex-ante definition of interface rules required in order to shape a platform ecosystem is a difficult task. Moreover, in these projects characterized by a high degree of uncertainty and associated risks of failure, the issue of asset capitalization becomes crucial. Our research aims to consider such capitalization since the design of a nascent exploration ecosystem. Trough the analysis of the nascence of a mobility service coupled with a photovoltaic infrastructure targeting rural sub-Saharan areas, our research highlights the benefits of a modular construction in terms of agility and assets capitalization. Our results show a dynamic evolution of the architecture of the ecosystem during this exploration with a fail & learn pattern. After the stop of the project, we discuss the benefit of a modular construction in an asset's capitalization and reuse perspective. We highlight the implications of the module granularity definition on the complexity of the project management and the extent of the learning of the focal firm during the course of the project.