Paper Number
1063
Paper Type
Complete Research Paper
Abstract
In digital business ecosystems, intermediaries are essential to manage interactions between different groups, such as multilateral sourcing relationships. However, the strategic functions intermediaries take in these ecosystems remain to be understood. Thus, we systematically reviewed 54 studies published in top IS and management literature and identified six strategic functions: (1) connecting actors, (2) controlling or governing the ecosystem, (3) facilitating interaction, (4) mobilizing innovation, (5) providing own resources, and (6) sharing information between the connected actors. We suggest three central ideas to critically examine the intermediary concept and its implications for firms and ecosystems. First, we discuss the ambidexterity of intermediaries resulting from the controlling and governance power. Second, we raise the question of the necessity of intermediaries and the phenomenon of chains of intermediaries. Third, we call for examining intermediaries’ potential to balance knowledge and power disparities. Practitioners can use our findings to elaborate on collaboration with intermediaries.
Recommended Citation
Heim, Sophie; Schindler, Rebekka; Ge, Tianyu; and Wittges, Holger, "And Here, All Threads Run Together: Understanding the Strategic Functions of Intermediaries in Digital Business Ecosystems" (2024). ECIS 2024 Proceedings. 2.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2024/is_governance/track21_is_govern/2
And Here, All Threads Run Together: Understanding the Strategic Functions of Intermediaries in Digital Business Ecosystems
In digital business ecosystems, intermediaries are essential to manage interactions between different groups, such as multilateral sourcing relationships. However, the strategic functions intermediaries take in these ecosystems remain to be understood. Thus, we systematically reviewed 54 studies published in top IS and management literature and identified six strategic functions: (1) connecting actors, (2) controlling or governing the ecosystem, (3) facilitating interaction, (4) mobilizing innovation, (5) providing own resources, and (6) sharing information between the connected actors. We suggest three central ideas to critically examine the intermediary concept and its implications for firms and ecosystems. First, we discuss the ambidexterity of intermediaries resulting from the controlling and governance power. Second, we raise the question of the necessity of intermediaries and the phenomenon of chains of intermediaries. Third, we call for examining intermediaries’ potential to balance knowledge and power disparities. Practitioners can use our findings to elaborate on collaboration with intermediaries.
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