Actors, information systems, and their relationships as drivers of B2B platform development

Abstract

Digital platforms have transformed many lines of business with their operating models. The extant research has focused on global business-to-consumer (B2C) oriented platforms, often with perspectives that place organisations, information systems, and their relationships in a predefined role. Architecturally, the platform core is the centre of gravity and other systems depend on it. Governance involves a powerful focal actor and complementors that are subject to it. These dualities do not necessarily capture the diversity and variance present in the business-to-business (B2B) environment. To shed more light on the role of actors, systems and their relationships, this thesis sets the following research question: How do the different relationships between actors and information systems affect the development of a B2B platform?

The context of this thesis is wood supply in Finland: a mechanised and technologyoriented industry that has a long history of utilising information technology. The actors are companies engaged in B2B transactions, which are brought together by formal agreements as well as informal connections. The industry is organised as supply chains, where the interplay of different actors and information systems across organizational boundaries has a critical role. Drawing on 42 practitioner interviews, this qualitative case study utilises grounded theory to analyse the dimensions of a B2B platform.

This study shows that the development of a B2B platform involves multiple actors and information systems. The predefined roles of focal actor, complementor and end-user are mingled, and evolve over time. Existing information systems and multilateral relationships including shared governance responsibilities and concurrent use of systems has a significant impact on platform development. Despite the shared nature of platform, actors keep certain activities private. Deviating interests are reflected in the development of new features and the modularity of the different information systems, even to the extent that the established notion of extending in a platform ecosystem is reversed. Observing information systems, actors, and their interactions as configurations reveals the multifaceted nature of B2B platform development. It is built on a collection of relationships, where the same platform is based on and serves the diverse requirements of different companies. The platform thrives due to its operational significance and fit with existing information systems, and an alignment of interests between actors.