Share and Share Alike: How Inner Source Can Help Create New Digital Platforms

Abstract

Many organizations are eager to develop a digital platform. Yet, it is not clear how to realize this ambition, especially for large companies with complex existing structures. This study demonstrates how the growing trend of “Inner Source” (adopting internal open-source/crowdsourcing practices within large organizations) can help companies become more platform-based. This article studies three large organizations—Zalando, Philips Healthcare, and PayPal—and identifies a four-stage model that explains how Inner Source helped them develop their internal and external platforms. It details six recommendations for large organizations wishing to follow a strategy of Inner Source-driven platformization.