How can companies succeed in establishing a digital platform ecosystem? This is a topic we still know little about, especially when the process is jointly pursued by a group of companies. Many attempts fail due to poor governance decisions.

This dissertation investigates the role of governance in the delicate process of building collaborative digital platforms. The thesis makes important theoretical and practical contributions showing that governance enables actors’ coordination and eases their competitive and cooperative challenges. Moreover, it suggests an emergent and bottom-up governance for collaborative platform ecosystems.

Essays on poverty and economic development

On Monday 10 June 2024 Arne Nasgowitz will hold a trial lecture on a prescribed topic and defend his thesis for the PhD degree at NHH.

Article 1 is a multidisciplinary, systematic literature review that consolidates and synthesizes the fragmented knowledge on digital platform ecosystem governance. It develops a conceptual model of governance consisting of five building blocks. The model represents a foundation for both new and experienced researchers and it serves as a managerial template for a more structured governance approach. The article also provides a rich future research agenda.

Articles 2 and 3 are empirical and based on a collaborative platform ecosystem in the Norwegian aquaculture industry. Article 2 uncovers four practices in standard development. It shows that standardization is a dynamic process that can benefit from inclusiveness rather than participant restriction. It also suggests that the development and diffusion of standards are highly interrelated and can be jointly dealt with. In addition, it proposes a focus on ecologies of standards, considering more than just technical standards.

Article 3 contributes to the literature on data platform governance. It identifies three governance mechanisms, develops a model for the gradual maturation of data sharing, and provides insights into the implementation of data ownership, access, and usage. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of deciding what data to share and with whom and of approaching governance as an ongoing process.

Prescribed topic for the trial lecture:

Ecosystems as a collective action problem

Trial lecture:

Karl Borch, NHH, 10:15

Title of the thesis:

«Collaborative digital platform ecosystems: A governance perspective - A literature review combined with insights from the Norwegian aquaculture industry»

Defense:

Karl Borch, NHH, 12:15

Members of the evaluation committee:

Professor Lasse Lien (leader of the committee), Department of Strategy and Management, NHH

Senior Assistant Professor Daniel Trabucchi, Politecnico di Milano

Professor Margunn Aanestad, UiO

Supervisors:

Professor Jon Iden (main supervisor), Department of Strategy and Management, NHH

Adjunct Professor Bendik Bygstad, Department of Strategy and Management, NHH

The trial lecture and thesis defense will be open to the public.                                                                             

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