Software ecosystems: A set of management practices for platform integrators in the telecom industry

Abstract

There is an emerging trend for software companies to adopt ecosystem strategies. A software ecosystem consists of an open technology platform with complementary components produced by several software companies or communities. By open innovation, ecosystems add value to the platform integrator's core offerings, while causing management challenges. This paper investigates what management practices support platform integrators operating in software ecosystems. The set of management practices that is synthesised from the literature includes technology scouting, orchestration, software supply network management, and technology asset management. This paper gives a structured overview of the management practices and links them to the technology and innovation management processes. A case example shows how a platform integrator utilises these practices in the telecom industry. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.