Architectural knowledge: key flows and processes in designing an inter-organisational technological platform

The main objective of this study is to identify which knowledge flows are key elements for designing an inter‐organisational technological platform. It mobilises : the literature of platform strategies and the architectural innovation theory. In the literature, the technological platform already exists, is the property of only one firm, and is the starting point for an inter‐organisational innovation process because it is enhanced and enriched by niche players. This paper considers the case of a digital business ecosystem where the technological platform does not already exist and is co‐designed. We study the design process of an inter‐organisational technological platform and, more specifically, its emergence, its development, and its potential evolution. The aim is to know how and under which conditions and with what objective an emerging technological platform is fundamental to the analysis of the emergence of the business ecosystem and the strategic positioning of each member.