Software ecosystem roles classification

Abstract

When studying software ecosystems, i.e., software-related organizations that collaboratively provide a market, it is difficult to identify the typical roles in that software ecosystem (SECO), and whether certain organizations belong to the ecosystem or not. The main aim of this research is to perform an independent literature review in order to create a classification of the typical roles named software ecosystem role classification (SERC). This research answered the research question, "How should a classification be formulated in order to provide the base for the software ecosystem roles?" The main result is a list of 5 major roles and 12 minor roles based on 9 papers that already discussed role identification in SECOs previously. The classification of these roles includes a description of the fundamental activities for each role. The classification enables those that model ecosystems and business models of software-related organizations to identify players quickly and their roles in ecosystems. Thereby furthering understanding of the underlying business models and value chains. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.