Title: Platform strategy framework for internet-based service development: case of eBay

Authors: Linda Lin, Tugrul U. Daim

Addresses: Department of Engineering and Technology Management, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA. ' Department of Engineering and Technology Management, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA

Abstract: Service industry has grown to dominate a significant portion of the US economy. However, research focusing on service development has not grown at the same pace. This paper focuses on platform-based product development that is increasingly used by high-technology companies in their quest to manage the complexity associated with offering greater product variety. The authors extend platform thinking to the service sector and postulate that companies developing nonphysical or intangible services, such as internet-based services, might also benefit from adopting an effective platform strategy. A platform strategy framework for web-enabled services is introduced to aid management in designing and developing strategically sound platforms that leverage existing markets and core competencies.

Keywords: service development; platform strategy; platform management; platform development; eBay; internet based services; web services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTM.2009.024565

International Journal of Services Technology and Management, 2009 Vol.11 No.4, pp.334 - 354

Published online: 10 Apr 2009 *

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