The evolution of platform business models: exploring competitive battles in the world of platforms

Zhao, Y., von Delft, S. , Morgan-Thomas, A. and Buck, T. (2020) The evolution of platform business models: exploring competitive battles in the world of platforms. Long Range Planning, 53(4), 101892. (doi: 10.1016/j.lrp.2019.101892)

Abstract

In recent decades, multi-sided platform business models have become an important avenue for value creation and capture, but the phenomenon itself remains under-theorized. We address this gap and present new, empirically-driven insights into how platform business models evolve in a context of fierce competition. Through a longitudinal, qualitative study of twelve multi-sided platforms that operate under challenging industry conditions, we discover that success in platform battles can plausibly be explained by a combination of complexity in the business model design, and the simultaneous use of innovation and imitation to create highly intricate systems of activities. We further discuss how our findings open several new avenues for future platform research.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Morgan-Thomas, Professor Anna and Zhao, Dr Yang and Buck, Professor Trevor and Von Delft, Professor Stephan
• Authors: Zhao, Y., von Delft, S., Morgan-Thomas, A., and Buck, T.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: Long Range Planning
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0024-6301
• ISSN (Online): 1873-1872
• Published Online: 13 July 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Long Range Planning 53(4): 101892
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License