Industrial digital economy – B2B platforms

In terms of growth and market position, B2C platforms („business to consumer“, such as Facebook, Amazon or eBay) area success model of the global digitalisation of the economy. B2C platforms have long since become part of everyday life for most individuals. Therefore, they have been the focus of public, scientifc and political attention in the past. In contrast, digital platforms for companies (B2B - „business to business“) are still in an early phase of development. For German industry, however, digital B2B platforms are of major importance. As intermediaries, they establish connections (e.g. networks or marketplaces) or offer an intelligent infrastructure for exchanging data and information (e.g. machinery and equipment). Thereby, they enable new value creation through user interactions – be it transactions on market places or a data-based improvement in the efficiency of business processes.

The present study was commissioned by the Federation of German Industries (BDI).