GRK 2720:  Digital Platform Ecosystems (DPE) – Digital platform-based value creation and its implications for data sharing, organization, and socio-economic development

• Subject Area: Economics
• Term: since 2022
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 443732464

Digital platform ecosystems are a key phenomenon in the digital economy. They constitute the basis for fundamentally novel data- and knowledge-intensive business models. Moreover, they have potentially far-reaching significance not only for the actors involved – the platform itself, its users and the platform-affiliated companies – but also for the competitive and social environment. The Research Training Group Digital Platform Ecosystems (DPE) combines the disciplines of information systems, management, marketing, economics and communication science to investigate the idiosyncratic characteristics of digital platform ecosystems. It also examines their implications for the design of and changes in economic value-creation architectures, and for important overarching socio-economic and regulatory developments. DPE approaches this objective in three research areas that mutually complement each other, coalesce into a systemic perspective and offer ample opportunities for fruitful, cross-disciplinary collaboration. Research area A, "Data Sharing in the Platform Ecosystem", analyses the data-sharing-centred relationships within a digital platform ecosystem – both between the platform and its affiliated companies, and between the platform and individuals. Research Area B, "Innovation, Transformation and Organization in the Platform Ecosystem and Its Competitive Environment", focuses on the implications of the platform ecosystem for organization and management, especially in relation to the companies (incumbents and start-ups) that operate and emerge in the platform ecosystem or are drawn into its sphere of influence. This research area also examines emerging platform-based, knowledge-intensive collaboration and innovation. Research area C, "Socio-economic and Regulatory Dimensions of the Platform Ecosystem", broadens the perspective and considers the implications of platform ecosystems for economy and society. In particular, this research area investigates the implications of platform ecosystems for socio-economic development in urban areas and developing countries, and examines the political discourse that accompanies and shapes the regulation of platform ecosystems. DPE offers doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers a unique, customized qualification and support concept that promotes both disciplinary strengths and cross-disciplinary openness. The inspiring and internationally designed research and training program enables these scholars to make ground-breaking contributions to basic research on digital platform ecosystems, to derive constructive normative recommendations, and to develop into thoughtful and responsible decision makers at the individual, organizational, regulatory and societal levels. DPE emerges from and further sharpens the strategic profile of the University of Passau – especially its vision of establishing itself as a leading research centre on the societal implications of digitalisation.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Universität Passau
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Stefan Bauernschuster; Professor Michael Grimm, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Carolin Häussler; Professor Dr. Jan Krämer, since 10/2024; Professorin Dr. Hannah Schmid-Petri; Professor Dr. Daniel Schnurr, until 7/2022; Professor Dr. Jan Hendrik Schumann; Professor Dr. Thomas Widjaja
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Andreas König, since 10/2024