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Value co-creation practices in business-to-business platform ecosystems

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Hein

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Jörg Weking

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Maximilian Schreieck

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Manuel Wiesche

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Markus Böhm

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Helmut Krcmar

    (Technical University of Munich)

Abstract

Moving beyond value creation in individual companies, firms have integrated customers, partners, and stakeholders in a mutual value co-creation process. Examples are platforms such as Apple’s App Store, where external developers use boundary resources provided on the platform to develop and share applications in an ecosystem. While value co-creation on business-to-consumer platforms is common practice, research on their business-to-business (B2B) counterparts is still sparse. The goal of this paper is to analyze how B2B platforms utilize value co-creation practices. We conduct a multiple case study in the context of emerging Internet of things (IoT) platforms highlighting that B2B platforms follow three standardized value co-creation practices. The platform encourages the supply side through the (1) integration of complementary assets, the demand-side through (2) ensuring platform readiness and connects both processes by (3) servitization through application enablement. We conclude by showing how platforms leverage different boundary resources in a process of standardization to develop a scalable infrastructure that explains how platforms enable value co-creation within their ecosystem.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Hein & Jörg Weking & Maximilian Schreieck & Manuel Wiesche & Markus Böhm & Helmut Krcmar, 2019. "Value co-creation practices in business-to-business platform ecosystems," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 29(3), pages 503-518, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:elmark:v:29:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s12525-019-00337-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s12525-019-00337-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Value co-creation; Digital platforms; Internet of things; Case study; Boundary resources; Standardization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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