Open Access
Review
SciPap-1454
A Review of Platform Business Models
by
Markéta Mlčúchová 1,* 
1 Finance, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1, Brno 61300, Czechia
* Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract: The paper focuses on platform business models as ubiquitous features of the digital economy whose economic importance is continuously increasing. Considering their varying definitions and diverse typology, the aim of this paper is to coin a unified definition and identify the main attributes of platform business models. In line with fulfilling the aim of the paper, the following research question is addressed: ‘What are the main attributes of platform business models?’. Based on a vast literature review, the paper coins a unified definition and devises a novel typology, distinguishing four main types of platform business models: transaction, innovation, integrated and investment. Furthermore, the importance of both digital data and network effects as the main identified attributes is highlighted. Additionally, the paper devises a novel typology of network effects, amplifying users’ value-creating activities and interconnected relationships. The novel typology of network effects is distinguishing direct, indirect (cross-sided, cross-network or two-sided), data, positive and negative network effects.
Keywords: Digital Economy, Business Model, Platform Business Model, Digital Data, Network Effects
JEL classification: F23 - Multinational Firms • International Business, L86 - Information and Internet Services • Computer Software
Received: 19 December 2021 / Revised: 16 March 2022 / Accepted: 3 May 2022 / Published: 10 June 2022
