Software Components and Product Variety in a Platform Ecosystem: A Dynamic Network Analysis of WordPress

Abstract

Software components such as application programming interfaces (APIs) provided by external developers are vital to online digital platforms. Although APIs generally increase the variety of products according to anecdote, the precise relationship between the categories of APIs and product variety is not yet known. We find that APIs, regarding their use frequency, are categorized into three groups. The core is a group of frequently used APIs, whereas the periphery is a group of sparsely used APIs. In a large and mature platform ecosystem, an additional group of APIs, the regular core, mainly provided by third-party developers, emerges. APIs in the regular core are the main driver of product variety. However, we also find that the strength of this effect diminishes in a newly created product category when most of the new products are built by duplicating the usage of APIs from other products. A platform owner can stimulate developers’ creativity by acting as a bridge between digital product providers and third-party developers. It can collect functional needs from third-party developers and then share them with product providers. Therefore, the latter can build APIs that developers need.

Lead complementor involvement in the design of platform boundary resources: A case study of BMW's onboard apps

“…Lead complementor involvement differs from lead user involvement regarding the numbers and variety of involved participants. While a product has a predefined scope of purpose, a platform affords generativity (Henfridsson & Bygstad, 2013; Um et al, 2013; Yoo et al, 2010). Consequently, a large spectrum of requirements for different use cases needs to be satisfied.…”

“…In contrast to a product that serves one or a few specific purposes, a digital platform has more generic characteristics (Henfridsson & Bygstad, 2013; Um et al, 2013). Its design is subject to constant changes and adjustments (Eaton et al, 2015; Tiwana, 2015).…”

Vulnerability diffusions in software product networks

“…Neighboring software products are more readily able to co‐create functions. The edge dynamics of products are consequently attributed to changes in user demands and associated developers' responses (Um et al, 2022; Wareham et al, 2014). Neighboring product developers use edge dynamics to co‐develop and share functions by combining existing and emerging API (Wareham et al, 2014).…”

“…Software developers tend to utilize popular digital resources that are actively maintained and innovative (Bavota et al, 2014; McDonnell et al, 2013; Salza et al, 2019). ND is attributed to changes in the network structures of neighboring software products (Manikas, 2016; Um et al, 2022). Hence, we argue the existence of positive associations between ND and software diffusion is attributed to the use of vulnerable digital resources by neighboring software products.…”

Holistic Digital Leadership and 20 Factors Relevant for its Understanding and Implementation

“…Digital Arenas and Digital Eco-Systems: Digital arenas, or if a participating organization can establish a leading position of power and determine system boundaries, collaboration, and conditions, also referred to as digital eco-systems, are a combination of individual participants which contribute unique value to an overall value creation (Schwaferts, 2020). Digital arenas and eco-systems are dynamic and change over time as participants join or exit, and technology and possibilities advance (Um, 2015;Schaffnit, 2020). This demands for agility to adapt fast to changes (Schaffnit, 2020).…”