Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

12-2022

Abstract

The burgeoning digital-platforms literature across multiple business disciplines has primarily characterized the platform as a market or network. Although the organizing role of platform owners is well recognized, the literature lacks a coherent approach to understanding organizational governance in the platform context. Drawing on classic organizational governance theories, this paper views digital platforms as a distinct organizational form where the mechanisms of incentive and control routinely take center stage. We systematically review research on digital platforms, categorize specific governance mechanisms related to incentive and control, and map a multitude of idiosyncratic design features studied in prior research onto these mechanisms. We further develop an integrative framework to synthesize the review and to offer novel insights into the interrelations among three building blocks: value, governance, and design. Using this framework as a guide, we discuss specific directions for future research and offer a number of illustrative questions to help advance our knowledge about digital platforms' governance mechanisms and design features.

Keywords

Digital platform, digitization, platform governance, platform design, organizational governance, incentive, control, meta-organization, organizational form

Discipline

E-Commerce | Strategic Management Policy

Research Areas

Strategy and Organisation

Publication

Journal of Management

Volume

48

Issue

1

First Page

147

Last Page

184

ISSN

0149-2063

Identifier

10.1177/01492063211045023

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1177/01492063211045023

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