Title: How automotive OEMs can lever platform-based ecosystems through the strategic use of boundary resources

Authors: Christoph Buck; Laura Watkowski

Addresses: University of Applied Sciences Augsburg, Branch Business and Information Systems, Engineering of the Fraunhofer FIT, Wittelsbacherring 10, 95444, Bayreuth, Germany; Queensland University of Technology, QUT Gardens Point Campus, 2 George St., Brisbane City OLD 4000, Australia ' Research Center Finance and Information Management, University of Bayreuth, Branch Business and Information Systems, Engineering of the Fraunhofer FIT, Wittelsbacherring 10, 95444, Bayreuth, Germany

Abstract: While platform-based ecosystems have drawn massive attention, the focus has primarily been on the platform development, architecture and governance of digital native firms. Nonetheless, mainly product-focused industries are suffering severe changes in how value is perceived by consumers. Thus, they sense an urgent need for change toward establishing platform-based ecosystems in order to survive and remain competitive. As recognised in the automotive industry, OEMs miss fruitful guidance on how to make their resources strategically available to external actors and how to manage them to profit from complements and knowledge spill-overs. Once opened, resources are harder to control; thus, automotive OEMs fear hostile misuse. Based on a systematic literature review, we derive state-of-the-art knowledge concerning the strategic use of boundary resources (BRs). Further, we provide insights through interviews with experts on how to cope with the tensions of openness of resources to enhance platform-based ecosystems' value.

Keywords: selective revealing; strategic revealing; resource revealing; boundary resources; platform based; software platform; ecosystem; platform governance; automotive OEM; car manufacturer; product focused.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2023.133354

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2023 Vol.23 No.2/3, pp.171 - 194

Received: 21 Sep 2022
Accepted: 12 Dec 2022
Published online: 13 Sep 2023 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article