Platform-based multinational corporations (PMNCs):A research agenda in the field of international business

Abstract

The rise of platform-based multinational corporations (PMNCs) driven by the digital economy has increasingly provided new implications for international business (IB) theories. IB scholars have begun to explore alternative research streams that provide a fertile ground for studying PMNCs. Through in-depth investigations on the definition, categorization, and distinctive characteristics of PMNCs, we develop a research framework to study PMNCs and shed light on IB theories. We propose different types of PMNCs that influence international businesses from both the consumption side and production side of global value chains, including transaction PMNCs and industry PMNCs. We also provide a research agenda that guides future studies on PMNCs, aiming to make insightful contributions to IB literature and provide practical implications for IB managers and policymakers.