온라인 플랫폼의 분류 프레임워크: 국내 플랫폼 사례연구를 중심으로

Abstract

Purpose This paper presents a new method of classifying online platforms. It also explains how to apply the framework using case studies and generate new insight about platform strategies and policy development.

Design/methodology/approach This paper focuses on the relationship between platforms, especially the hierarchy and power relations, and broadly classifies platforms as follows: content/services, meta information, app stores, operating systems, and cloud. Both the content/service platform and the meta information platform have matching as their main function. However, most content/services tend to collect and access information through meta-information platforms, so meta-information platforms are closer to infrastructure than content/service platforms. App store, operating system, and cloud can be said to be platforms of platforms. A small number of companies in the US and China dominate platforms of platforms, and become the recent development and regulatory targets of their respective governments.

Findings We should be wary of the attempts to regulate domestic platforms by importing foreign regulations that ignore the hierarchical structure that our framework highlights. We believe that Korea's strategy to become a true platform powerhouse is clear. As one of the few countries with significant companies in the area of meta information platforms, it will be necessary to fully utilize the position and advance into the strategically important area of platforms of platforms. Furthermore, it is necessary to encourage world-class companies to appear in Korea in the app store, operating system, and cloud. To do so, the government needs to introduce promotion policies to strategically nurture such platforms rather than to regulate them.