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Developing design principles to standardize e-commerce ecosystems

Author

Listed:
  • Tobias Wulfert

    (University of Duisburg-Essen)

  • Robert Woroch

    (University of Duisburg-Essen)

  • Gero Strobel

    (University of Duisburg-Essen)

  • Sarah Seufert

    (University of Duisburg-Essen)

  • Frederik Möller

    (TU Dortmund University
    Fraunhofer ISST)

Abstract

Platform ecosystems have captured a variety of markets, enabling coordination, transactions, and value co-creation between independent actors. A focal platform constitutes the central nexus of e-commerce ecosystems and fosters the interaction among ecosystem participants through their boundary resources. Standardizing these interfaces simplifies ecosystem entry for developers and increases the number of participants propelling the network effects, and thus the overall value of the ecosystem. Currently, there is a lack of prescriptive design knowledge guiding platform owners in designing successful e-commerce ecosystems. Addressing this issue, we followed a dual approach, reporting on a systematic literature review in which we identified design requirements and complemented these with a multiple-case study on selected e-commerce ecosystems. Aggregating the requirements resulted in six meta-requirements and 19 design principles that foster the standardization of focal e-commerce platforms. Our design principles simplify the development of complements and enable multi-homing for developers due to possible standardization across ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Tobias Wulfert & Robert Woroch & Gero Strobel & Sarah Seufert & Frederik Möller, 2022. "Developing design principles to standardize e-commerce ecosystems," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(4), pages 1813-1842, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:elmark:v:32:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s12525-022-00558-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s12525-022-00558-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Qizhi Dai, 2023. "Understanding how platform modularity enhances network effects," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Geerten Kaa & Eric Viardot & Ian P. McCarthy, 2022. "Standardization for platform ecosystems," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(4), pages 1807-1811, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Platform Ecosystem; E-Commerce; Boundary Resources; Standardization; Design Principles; Multi-Case Study;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A10 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - General

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