Digital Sourcing, Platforms, and Ecosystems

Welcome to the official page of the Special Interest Group on “Digital Sourcing, Platforms, and Ecosystems” (DSPE) of the Association for Information Systems (AIS). This site serves as a networking opportunity for our members, offering a way to stay connected between meetings and providing resources to keep you informed on the latest developments in our field.

Originally established in 2018 as SIG “Advances in Sourcing”, our group has evolved in response to reflect changes in managerial practice and research interests. Therefore, our focus has expanded to encompass not only traditional sourcing but also the burgeoning areas of digital platforms and ecosystems.

Our research interests are broad, covering a wide spectrum of phenomena related to digital sourcing and platformization, with a special focus on how digital platforms and emerging technologies are reshaping traditional sourcing and business models. Research topics include but are not limited to (1) digital sourcing issues, such as sourcing decisions and outcomes, organizing and governing sourcing relationships, innovation and knowledge processes in sourcing relationships, and various sourcing configurations and models (multi-sourcing, plural sourcing, crowdsourcing, cloud sourcing, etc.) and (2) digital platform ecosystems issues, including motivation to partner, governance of platform ecosystems and partnerships, co-innovation processes, and outcomes. These topics are examined from multiple perspectives (including client and supplier firms, platform vendors, complementors, and individual actors), and studied at multiple levels of analysis (including individual-, firm-, inter-organizational, and ecosystem-level), using diverse methods.

DSPE is committed to fostering a rich exchange of ideas and insights not only among researchers but also with professionals involved in the management and use of information systems and technologies.  Through seminars, conferences, and on-line resources, we aim to enhance the understanding and impact of research in digital sourcing, platforms, and ecosystems.

The SIG Sourcing aims to provide an enabling forum in which IS academics, postgraduate students, and practitioners can:

• Discover and discuss new and emerging trends associated with and/or having implication for sourcing
• Exchange ideas with other members related but not limited to new theoretical lenses, research methods, positioning of studies and potential theoretical contributions in this highly practical area of research
• Foster research collaborations
• Critically examine new research opportunities, new research ideas, and problems in conducting research on sourcing issues
• Improve the quality of IS sourcing research by organizing and participating in events (such as pre- or post-ICIS workshops or the annual Global Sourcing Workshop) and developing and consuming sourcing-related resources (such as research curations)

Call for Papers: Special Issue "Platform Partnerships" in the Journal of Strategic Information Systems

The Journal of Strategic Information Systems invites submissions to a special issue on Platform Partnerships. "Platform Organizations & Societal Change" (Deadline: Sept 15th, 2025). See the call for papers.

SIG renamed to "Digital Sourcing, Platforms, and Ecosystems" (DSPE)

We are excited to announce the renaming of our Special Interest Group from SIG Sourcing to "Digital Sourcing, Platforms, and Ecosystems" (DSPE). This new name reflects our expanded focus on the evolving dynamics of digital platforms and the complex ecosystems within the global digital economy. Join us as we explore these frontiers and shape the future of information systems research together. Click here to sign up for the SIG DSPE.

Call for Papers: Pre-ICIS Workshop on Digital Sourcing, Platforms, and Ecosystem

We will host our Annual Meeting, including a workshop on Digital Sourcing, Platforms, and Ecosystems, at ICIS 2024 in Bangkok. Consider submitting your research in progress. See our Call for Papers.

ECIS 2025 track "Platforms, Sourcing, and Governance in the Digital Age"

The European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS) 2025 in Amman, Jordan, will feature a track on Platforms, Sourcing, and Governance in the Digital Age (track chairs: Oliver Krancher, Thomas Huber, Andreas Hein, Ilan Oshri). The submission deadline will be in November 2024.

Call for Papers: Special Issue "Platform Organizations & Societal Change" in Organizational Studies

Organizational Studies invites submissions to a special issue on "Platform Organizations & Societal Change" (Deadline: Feb 28th, 2025). See the call for papers.

The 16th Digital Sourcing, Platforms and Ecosystems Workshop (2025)

Following the success of the past workshops (previously known as the Global Sourcing Workshop), we are pleased to release this Call for Papers for the 16^th Digital Sourcing, Platforms and Ecosystems Workshop held March 4-7, 2025, in Obergurgl, Austria.