Understanding digital platforms and ecosystems

Abstract

In today's interconnected world, digital platforms and ecosystems have become integral components of business, technology, and society. Academics and practitioners have shown renewed interest in the digital ecosystem concept in recent years. Recent evaluations have tried to define the conceptual boundaries between digital platforms and ecosystem concepts. This abstract explores the multifaceted nature of digital platforms and ecosystems, investigating their definitions and relation between these two terms. We use systematic mapping methodology to understand the diverse world of digital platforms and ecosystems. Systematic mapping is a methodology that provides a visual summary map of the outcomes of a systematic research process. The research begins with a systematic review of existing literature, aiming to provide a structured overview of the diverse aspects of definitions and relationship of digital platforms and ecosystems. The search procedure identified 78 studies, of which 48 were identified as relevant to answer our research questions. This study maps what is currently understood about digital platforms and ecosystems.