A multidimensional platform ecosystem framework Sergey Yablonsky Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation Abstract Purpose – Ecosystems that support digital businesses maximize the economic value of network connections. This forces a shift toward platforms and ecosystems that are collaborative by nature by applying business models with multiple actors playing multiple roles. The purpose of this study is to show how the main concepts emerging from research on digital platform ecosystems (DPEs) could be organized in a taxonomy-based framework with different levels or dimensions of analysis. This study discusses some of the contingencies at these different levels and argues that future research needs to study DPEs across multiple levels of analysis. While this integrative framework allows the comparison, contrast and integration of various perspectives at different levels of analysis, further theorizing will be needed to advance the DPE research. The multidimensional framework proposed here involves the use of a multimethodological approach that incorporates a synergy of businesses, technological innovations and management methods to provide support for research in interrelationships across platform ecosystems (PEs) on a regular basis. Design/methodology/approach – This paper proposes a new PE framework by constructing a formal taxonomy model that explains a vast group of phenomena produced by the PEs. Findings – In addition to illustrating the PE taxonomy framework, this study also proposes a clear and precise description and structuring of the information in the ecosystem domain. The PE framework assists in identification, creation, assessment and disclosure research of platform business ecosystems. Research limitations/implications – Because of the large number of taxonomy concepts (over 200), only main taxonomy fragments are shown in the paper. Practical implications – The outcomes of this research could be used for planning, oversight and control over ecosystem management and the use of ecosystem’s knowledge-related resources for research purposes. Originality/value – The PE framework is original and represents an effective tool for observing PEs. Keywords Multisided platform, Business platform ecosystem, Taxonomy framework, Technological platform Paper type Research paper 1. Introduction The systems approach to studies of complex phenomena has a long tradition in a wide range of disciplines (Granstranda and Holgerssonb, 2019). In the past two decades, the concept of innovation and business ecosystem (BE) has become popular (Gomes et al., 2018; Gupta et al., 2019). This is not just a metaphor but also a powerful definition that calls for conceptual research analysis. Industry sources are similarly demonstrating interest in BEs and digital technologies (Gartner, 2017; Desmet et al., 2017; DeBeasi and Knoernschild, 2019; Blosch and Burton, 2016, 2019). Organizations are seeking opportunities to innovate business models (BMs), turning their attention outward into the BE of customers, partners, suppliers and other actors – including “things”– to create new services, products and experiences. To take advantage of the BE, scholars recognize that it represents far more than just a network of relationships; it is a dynamic, self-organizing, resilient system Platform ecosystem framework 2003 Received 1 July 2019 Revised 25 December 2019 16 February 2020 Accepted 18 February 2020 Kybernetes Vol. 49 No. 7, 2020 pp. 2003-2035 © Emerald Publishing Limited 0368-492X DOI 10.1108/K-07-2019-0447 The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/0368-492X.htm