Paper ID
1366
Paper Type
short
Description
The IS literature on mobile platform ecosystems has so far discussed platform dynamics from a software perspective. But recent regulatory and competitive developments have impacted the hardware layer of mobile platform ecosystems: an increasing number of third-party repair providers have started to modify physical components outside the platform owners’ direct sphere of influence while platform owners attempt to maintain control over the ecosystem. We report on our ongoing case research to develop an account of what we call hardware-layer dynamics in mobile platform ecosystems. Based on an inductive case study of third-party repair complementors operating in Apple’s iPhone aftermarket, we explain how these dynamics are shaped through interactions between complementors and platform owners over time. We expect our contributions to extend our field’s attention to the entire modular architecture of digital platforms—and the ecosystem they support.
Recommended Citation
Zeiss, Roman; Recker, Jan; and Müller, Mario, "Hardware-layer Dynamics in Mobile Platform Ecosystems: The Case of Apple’s iPhone Aftermarket" (2019). ICIS 2019 Proceedings. 1.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2019/is_heart_of_innovation_ecosystems/innovation_ecosystems/1
Hardware-layer Dynamics in Mobile Platform Ecosystems: The Case of Apple’s iPhone Aftermarket
The IS literature on mobile platform ecosystems has so far discussed platform dynamics from a software perspective. But recent regulatory and competitive developments have impacted the hardware layer of mobile platform ecosystems: an increasing number of third-party repair providers have started to modify physical components outside the platform owners’ direct sphere of influence while platform owners attempt to maintain control over the ecosystem. We report on our ongoing case research to develop an account of what we call hardware-layer dynamics in mobile platform ecosystems. Based on an inductive case study of third-party repair complementors operating in Apple’s iPhone aftermarket, we explain how these dynamics are shaped through interactions between complementors and platform owners over time. We expect our contributions to extend our field’s attention to the entire modular architecture of digital platforms—and the ecosystem they support.