IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/elcore/v25y2025i2d10.1007_s10660-023-09700-w.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Common typology of multi-sided platforms and virtual communities: analysis of business models using qualitative system dynamics

Author

Listed:
  • Tymoteusz Doligalski

    (SGH Warsaw School of Economics)

Abstract

This article presents a common typology of multi-sided platforms and virtual communities. The analysed entities comprise 69 of Poland’s most prominent websites, representing one of two business models. Based on three dimensions: collaboration among users, reputation-based user competition, and user multi-sidedness, we identified four business models. These are problem community, object community, object market, and reputation market. The differences in their logics of value creation go beyond the traditional division between multi-sided platforms and virtual communities. The identified business models were depicted in qualitative system dynamics diagrams. The typology was verified using the statistical clustering technique, which yielded corresponding results.

Suggested Citation

  • Tymoteusz Doligalski, 2025. "Common typology of multi-sided platforms and virtual communities: analysis of business models using qualitative system dynamics," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 25(2), pages 951-985, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:elcore:v:25:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10660-023-09700-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10660-023-09700-w
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10660-023-09700-w
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10660-023-09700-w?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ruutu, Sampsa & Casey, Thomas & Kotovirta, Ville, 2017. "Development and competition of digital service platforms: A system dynamics approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 119-130.
    2. Täuscher, Karl & Laudien, Sven M., 2018. "Understanding platform business models: A mixed methods study of marketplaces," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 319-329.
    3. Hurwicz,Leonid & Reiter,Stanley, 2008. "Designing Economic Mechanisms," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521724104, June.
    4. Hagiu, Andrei & Wright, Julian, 2015. "Multi-sided platforms," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 162-174.
    5. Utterback, James M & Abernathy, William J, 1975. "A dynamic model of process and product innovation," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 3(6), pages 639-656, December.
    6. Kaplan, Andreas M. & Haenlein, Michael, 2010. "Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 53(1), pages 59-68, January.
    7. Samer Faraj & Sirkka L. Jarvenpaa & Ann Majchrzak, 2011. "Knowledge Collaboration in Online Communities," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(5), pages 1224-1239, October.
    8. Key Pousttchi & Alexander Gleiss, 2019. "Surrounded by middlemen - how multi-sided platforms change the insurance industry," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 29(4), pages 609-629, December.
    9. de Oliveira, Daniel Thomé & Cortimiglia, Marcelo Nogueira, 2017. "Value co-creation in web-based multisided platforms: A conceptual framework and implications for business model design," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 60(6), pages 747-758.
    10. Jean‐Charles Rochet & Jean Tirole, 2006. "Two‐sided markets: a progress report," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 37(3), pages 645-667, September.
    11. Gawer, Annabelle, 2014. "Bridging differing perspectives on technological platforms: Toward an integrative framework," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(7), pages 1239-1249.
    12. Daniel Fürstenau & Carolin Auschra & Stefan Klein & Martin Gersch, 2019. "A process perspective on platform design and management: evidence from a digital platform in health care," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 29(4), pages 581-596, December.
    13. E F Wolstenholme, 1999. "Qualitative vs quantitative modelling: the evolving balance," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 50(4), pages 422-428, April.
    14. Natalia Levina & Manuel Arriaga, 2014. "Distinction and Status Production on User-Generated Content Platforms: Using Bourdieu’s Theory of Cultural Production to Understand Social Dynamics in Online Fields," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 25(3), pages 468-488, September.
    15. Raphael Amit & Christoph Zott, 2001. "Value creation in E‐business," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(6‐7), pages 493-520, June.
    16. Michael Barrett & Eivor Oborn & Wanda Orlikowski, 2016. "Creating Value in Online Communities: The Sociomaterial Configuring of Strategy, Platform, and Stakeholder Engagement," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 27(4), pages 704-723, December.
    17. Daniel Trabucchi & Tommaso Buganza, 2021. "Landlords with no lands: a systematic literature review on hybrid multi-sided platforms and platform thinking," European Journal of Innovation Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 25(6), pages 64-96, March.
    18. Olivier Sibai & Kristine de Valck & Andrew M. Farrell & John M. Rudd, 2015. "Social Control in Online Communities of Consumption: A Framework for Community Management," Post-Print hal-01147667, HAL.
    19. Anar Bazarhanova & Jesse Yli-Huumo & Kari Smolander, 2020. "From platform dominance to weakened ownership: how external regulation changed Finnish e-identification," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(3), pages 525-538, September.
    20. Jørgen Veisdal, 2020. "The dynamics of entry for digital platforms in two-sided markets: a multi-case study," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(3), pages 539-556, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Veile, Johannes W. & Schmidt, Marie-Christin & Voigt, Kai-Ingo, 2022. "Toward a new era of cooperation: How industrial digital platforms transform business models in Industry 4.0," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 387-405.
    2. Yuki Inoue & Takeshi Takenaka & Takami Kasasaku & Tadafumi Tamegai & Ryohei Arai, 2023. "How to design platform ecosystems by intrapreneurs: Implications from action design research on IoT-based platform," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-26, December.
    3. Rodrigo, Laura & Palacios, Miguel & Martínez-Corral, Alberto & Tafur, Javier, 2025. "Virtual virtuous cycles. Mapping value structure in digital platforms and online communities realms," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    4. Inoue, Yuki, 2021. "Indirect innovation management by platform ecosystem governance and positioning: Toward collective ambidexterity in the ecosystems," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    5. Steffen, Nico & Wiewiorra, Lukas & Kroon, Peter, 2021. "Wettbewerb und Regulierung in der Plattform- und Datenökonomie," WIK Discussion Papers 481, WIK Wissenschaftliches Institut für Infrastruktur und Kommunikationsdienste GmbH.
    6. Alexander Gleiss & Marco Kohlhagen & Key Pousttchi, 2021. "An apple a day – how the platform economy impacts value creation in the healthcare market," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 31(4), pages 849-876, December.
    7. Nishikawa, Bruna T. & Orsato, Renato J., 2021. "Professional services in the age of platforms: Towards an analytical framework," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    8. Yuki Inoue, 2019. "Winner-Takes-All or Co-Evolution among Platform Ecosystems: A Look at the Competitive and Symbiotic Actions of Complementors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-25, January.
    9. Şimşek, Tolga & Öner, M Atilla & Kunday, Özlem & Olcay, Gökçen Arkalı, 2022. "A journey towards a digital platform business model: A case study in a global tech-company," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    10. Enzo Bivona, 2021. "Il dynamic business modelling per lo sviluppo e la prevenzione delle crisi delle piattaforme multi-sided," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2021(suppl. 2), pages 91-113.
    11. Liu, Yihui & Wu, Aiqi & Song, Di, 2022. "Exploring the Impact of Cross-side Network Interaction on Digital Platforms on Internationalization of Manufacturing Firms," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(4).
    12. repec:dar:wpaper:132320 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Rietveld, G.J. & Eggers, J.P., 2016. "Demand Heterogeneity and the Adoption of Platform Complements," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2016-003-STR, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    14. Liu, He & Li, Xuerong & Wang, Shouyang, 2021. "A bibliometric analysis of 30 years of platform research: Developing the research agenda for platforms, the associated technologies and social impacts," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    15. Mosch, Philipp & Majocco, Philipp & Obermaier, Robert, 2023. "Contrasting value creation strategies of industrial-IoT-platforms – a multiple case study," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    16. Hakan Ozalp & Carmelo Cennamo & Annabelle Gawer, 2018. "Disruption in Platform‐Based Ecosystems," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(7), pages 1203-1241, November.
    17. Nizar Abdelkafi & Christina Raasch & Angela Roth & R. Srinivasan, 2019. "Multi-sided platforms," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 29(4), pages 553-559, December.
    18. Ruben Tessmann & Ralf Elbert, 2022. "Multi-sided platforms in competitive B2B networks with varying governmental influence – a taxonomy of Port and Cargo Community System business models," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(2), pages 829-872, June.
    19. Arthur Kari & Pepe Bellin & Martin Matzner & Martin Gersch, 2025. "Governing the emergence of network-driven platform ecosystems," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 35(1), pages 1-27, December.
    20. Daniel Fürstenau & Stefan Klein & Amyn Vogel & Carolin Auschra, 2021. "Multi-sided platform and data-driven care research," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 31(4), pages 811-828, December.
    21. Presenza, Angelo & Abbate, Tindara & Cesaroni, Fabrizio & Appio, Francesco Paolo, 2019. "Enacting Social Crowdfunding Business Ecosystems: The case of the platform Meridonare," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 190-201.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:elcore:v:25:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10660-023-09700-w. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.