Building digital platform ecosystems through standardization: an institutional work approach

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the development of standards for technologies and work practices in a digital platform ecosystem. Standards are needed for technical and organizational compatibility across the actors’ different systems, technologies, data, and business processes. However, little is known about how actors achieve common standards in collaborative ecosystems where a clear platform leader is missing. Based on a longitudinal, qualitative case study of a digital platform ecosystem within the Norwegian aquaculture industry, we examined how the actors collaborated on building a digital platform ecosystem with the aim of fighting sea lice on salmon through standardization. We contribute to research and practice by providing a preliminary framework of four institutional work practices for standardization in digital ecosystems and three key lessons learned for guidance for practitioners.