Landlords with no lands: a systematic literature review on hybrid multi-sided platforms and platform thinking

Introducing #PlatformThinking as a tool to foster #Innovation

Dec 12, 2022

This article is based on a systematic and comprehensive review of the literature on two-sided platforms, the business structure based on the concept of matchmaking groups of customers (e.g. Uber or Airbnb). The research aims to identify gaps in the existing literature while providing a structured summary of the existing knowledge in the field. Finally, we propose a conceptual framework enabling platform thinking, the ability to see hybrid multi-sided platforms as a useful resource-orchestration structure to unveil innovation opportunities.

This study adopts a bibliometric approach, combing co-citation and text mining analyses of 196 papers, also implementing a longitudinal analysis that highlights the evolution of the field since its inception till today.

The novel aspect of the paper consists in taking a purely managerial stance of a very peculiar kind of platform, merging existing knowledge in comprehensive frameworks while providing potential avenues for research.

From an academic perspective, this research highlights the double nature of two-sided platforms: as an operational choice or as a way to exploit (digital) assets and reach the economic sustainability. A research agenda is proposed, based on three pillars: a side-based standpoint, a business model perspective and an evolutionary stance to see how these businesses may evolve.

The research identifies different literature streams that may help practitioners in identifying how two-sided platforms may help them in fostering innovation.

The identification of two-sided platforms as a different way to create value (transaction platforms) or to capture value (non-transaction platform, or orthogonal), enhancing the debate on this innovative business model. A research agenda to bring the field forward is proposed.

Find out the paper (#OpenAcess) here: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/EJIM-11-2020-0467/full/html

Find out a #VideoAbstract here:

A guest post by

Daniel Trabucchi

Daniel Trabucchi is Senior Assistant Professor at the School of Management, Politecnico di Milano. His latest works deal with “Platform Thinking”, the transformation approach that see in platforms the tool to foster innovation in established firms.