The Concept of Platform Federations – A Case Study of ChatGPT Browser Plugins

Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of platform federations, a novel approach to digital ecosystem integration. Platform federations offer an alternative to full assistants and co-pilots, enabling fine-grained sharing of functionality across diverse platforms. This modular architecture allows for more flexible and collaborative dynamics among the platform stakeholders. Using a network science-based approach, we analyzed the structural properties and value-creation mechanisms of platform federations using the example of ChatGPT browser plugins for Chrome, Edge and Firefox. The findings reveal how these federations drive complementarities and network effects, leading to enriched user experience and sustainable growth. We provide strategic recommendations to developers, policymakers, and platform operators to leverage these insights. This study contributes to platform theory by offering a new framework for understanding decentralized digital collaboration and its implications for innovation, competition, and value creation in an evolving digital platform economy.