Paper Number
ECIS2026-2268
Paper Type
CRP
Abstract
Digital platform ecosystems rely on loosely coupled complementors to jointly create value with platform owners. As these participants cannot be governed through traditional command-and-control mechanisms, platform owners orchestrate their participation through governance. Despite growing scholarly interest, research on platform governance remains fragmented, lacking an integrative perspective. This study conducts a systematic literature review of 644 publications to synthesize the governance landscape and develop an integrative framework. We identify three core types of governance mechanisms that enable platform owners to coordinate value creation, ensure quality, and foster innovation: incentives, control, and boundary resources. Building on this foundation, we propose a research agenda that examines how emerging technologies, including algorithmic governance, generative AI, and agentic systems, are reshaping governance practices. By bridging established knowledge with emerging governance challenges, this study advances a more comprehensive understanding of platform governance and outlines future research avenues related to technological change, dynamic capabilities, and ecosystem perception.
Recommended Citation
Woroch, Robert; Schreieck, Maximilian; Banh, Leonardo; and Strobel, Gero, "Mission: Orchestration – Governance Mechanisms And Future Research Directions In Digital Platform Ecosystems" (2026). ECIS 2026 Proceedings. 8.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2026/platforms/platforms/8
Mission: Orchestration – Governance Mechanisms And Future Research Directions In Digital Platform Ecosystems
Digital platform ecosystems rely on loosely coupled complementors to jointly create value with platform owners. As these participants cannot be governed through traditional command-and-control mechanisms, platform owners orchestrate their participation through governance. Despite growing scholarly interest, research on platform governance remains fragmented, lacking an integrative perspective. This study conducts a systematic literature review of 644 publications to synthesize the governance landscape and develop an integrative framework. We identify three core types of governance mechanisms that enable platform owners to coordinate value creation, ensure quality, and foster innovation: incentives, control, and boundary resources. Building on this foundation, we propose a research agenda that examines how emerging technologies, including algorithmic governance, generative AI, and agentic systems, are reshaping governance practices. By bridging established knowledge with emerging governance challenges, this study advances a more comprehensive understanding of platform governance and outlines future research avenues related to technological change, dynamic capabilities, and ecosystem perception.