Knowledge Exchange in Multi-Sided Platforms: A Business Model Approach

Abstract

The paper addresses the problems of knowledge exchange/sharing in multi-sided platforms (MSPs). The paper identifies what are the main business models, mechanisms and factors that explain the knowledge/information/data exchange/share and innovation effects of MSPs and MSP ecosystems. The paper provides a broad overview of MSP intermediaries and ecosystems for exchange/sharing knowledge and examines main business models and cases. Analysis of the main business model pattern of MSP (Yablonsky, 2016b) identifies such main business model blocks that could be used for knowledge/information/data exchange/sharing: key partnership and ecosystem, activities, resources, and digital channels. The five areas of knowledge/information/data exchange/sharing in IT infrastructure platforms were investigated trying to find what counterparts are usually exchanged/shared.