Multi-sided platforms: Current state and future research

Abstract

In the digital age traditional ways of doing business have been transformed by a group of new platform-driven companies like Facebook, Amazon, Uber, Airbnb and some others. This relatively new digital economy research phenomenon requires inclusive understanding. The paper explores and questions platform research in the context of digital MSPs. It provides main definitions and discusses the concept of digital platform stack framework. The characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, opportunities and threats associated with the activities of digital platforms have been considered. The paper systematizes current research with a focus on the platform digital transformation, strategy, business models and architecture and suggests agenda for future research.