Digital platforms and the reconfiguration of global production networks

Abstract

Digital business-to-business (B2B) platforms have become essential components of today's economy. However, the impact of digital B2B platforms on global production networks has not yet been sufficiently conceptualized and empirically examined. This article proposes an analytical framework to theorize platform-based reconfigurations of global production networks. By using the case of digital logistics platforms, the article illustrates that service-centred platforms, in particular, have a major impact on global production networks, as they are able to position themselves as lead firms and to utilize data to shape the organizational and spatial composition of global production networks.