Data sharing for business model innovation in platform ecosystems: From private data to public good

Abstract

Extant research posits that open data could unlock more than $3 trillion in additional value worldwide across various application domains. This paper investigates a data-sharing perspective in business models of platform ecosystems and discusses how platform owners can derive more value using data. We chose a sample of 12 platforms in which data are used as a key resource for service propositions. By contrasting these cases, we identify and analyse four archetypes: data crawler, data marketplace, data aggregator, and data disseminator. We define the key features of these archetypes and demonstrate how they realise value via the platform. These archetypes can guide managers in realising private and public goods via data sharing. Building on our findings, we derive recommendations for data-driven business model innovation for platform ecosystems.