Digital platforms and trading companies: the evolution of traditional business ecosystems into integrated digital business ecosystems

The corona virus pandemic has amplified the need to establish online sales channels and has forced retailers to participate in digital business ecosystems. The discrepancy between the traditional view of established retailers and the aspirations of digital competitors makes it necessary to investigate digital transformation for retailers. Retailers entering the platform economy can introduce transaction and innovation platforms in digitalization. The analysis of process improvements exploiting digital technologies in retail has rarely been discussed. Thus, we apply a design science research approach to develop a framework describing and structuring integrated digital business ecosystems in retail and demonstrate it using a case study of a German pet food retailer. The framework integrates business actors in traditional (offline) and additional digital business ecosystems. It is organized around information systems architecture layers that provide the necessary services for both kinds of platforms. These include generic retail services, matching services, and a development environment.