Platform Thinking – How Platforms Can Foster Innovation in Established Industries

Dear Colleagues,

While technology (often) plays the role of innovation which triggers new business models [1], platforms specifically have become one of the most successful innovative aspects in many fields. Platforms have even managed to challenge entire fields, such as the taxi market or accommodation, with the launch of Uber and Airbnb, respectively [2].

Over the years, platforms have proven their ability to leverage idle assets—being there, on the market, or within existing firms—which can grow and become bigger and more relevant [3]. In doing so, platforms often rely on the power of data [4] to exploit new business and innovation opportunities [5].

The list of suspects is incredibly long, especially in the tech and service space. Still, what are the opportunities that thinking through the platform lens—defined as “Platform Thinking” [6]—may open up for established businesses, especially those in fields where the digital transformation is still taking place but which are suffering from increased competition coming from the “new worlds”?

To take advantage of this innovative business model, R&D leaders must understand platforms, their opportunities and challenges, and their powers and limitations. This is (clearly) important in the world of digital services, but also in brick-and-mortar industries, in the industrial space and in all those fields that may go through a "platformization" process to gain back their relevance.

A few recent studies have highlighted that companies are also looking in this direction. This call for submission aims at stimulating research in this direction, with topics that may include but are not restricted to:

• The application of platform thinking or platformization processes to the industrial setting;
• The evolution of product platforms in multisided platforms;
• The transformation toward platform ecosystems of retailers and physical businesses;
• The opportunities of data-driven business models based on platform mechanisms in industrial settings.

This call is looking for original and practice-centered pieces, offering practical information, real-world case studies, tools and frameworks, and lessons that readers can put to work immediately. For all manuscripts submitted to this Special Issue, the Article Processing Charges (APC, 1000 CHF) will be fully waived if the paper is accepted after peer review.

Suggested references:

1. Rayna, T., & Striukova, L. (2016). 360° Business Model Innovation: Toward an Integrated View of Business Model Innovation. Research-Technology Management, 59(3), 21-28.
2. Yoffie, D. B., Gawer, A., & Cusumano, M. A. (2019). A study of more than 250 platforms a reveal why most fail. Harvard Business Review.
3. Trabucchi, D., Sanasi, S., Ghezzi, A., & Buganza, T. (2020). Idle Asset Hunters—The Secret of Multi-sided Platforms. Research-Technology Management, 64(1), 33-42.
4. Trabucchi, D., Buganza, T., & Pellizzoni, E. (2017). Give Away Your Digital Services: Leveraging Big Data to Capture Value. Research-Technology Management, 60(2), 43-52.
5. Wang, Y., Zhang, H., & Song, M. (2020). Does Big Data–Embedded New Product Development Influence Project Success?. Research-Technology Management, 63(4), 35-42.
6. Trabucchi, D., & Buganza, T. (2021). Landlords with no lands: a systematic literature review on hybrid multi-sided platforms and platform thinking. European Journal of Innovation Management.

Dr. Tommaso Buganza
Dr. Daniel Trabucchi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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