Evaluating Platform Openness in Logistics based on a Taxonomic Analysis

Abstract

Digital platforms are becoming increasingly important in logistics to enhance business models and ensure competitiveness. As new players enter from the B2C sector, the need to innovate is intensifying for traditional firms. To compensate disadvantages, such as missing platform knowledge or a late entrance, open strategies, e.g., shared governance or open source, can spur platform development and establishment. The resulting open platform ecosystems are a promising approach in entering the platform business for struggling firms. As first initiatives aim to promote open logistics ecosystems, our research objective is to evaluate the current state of openness regarding logistics platforms. We use a taxonomy to identify relevant design elements from a business model’s perspective. Building on the taxonomic analysis, we evaluate relevant openness dimensions to display the current state of openness in logistics platform ecosystems. We conclude by giving an outlook on future research avenues by providing potential research questions.