Abstract

Digital platform ecosystems have become the dominant structure for value creation in the digital
age, placing platform owners and third-party complementors in complex, interdependent
relationships. While these ecosystems are often praised for encouraging innovation and co-creation,
this thesis examines a less-studied aspect: the autonomy of complementors. The autonomy of
complementors describes the degree of freedom complementors have when co-creating value with
the digital platform. Focusing on how developers, service providers, and content creators manage
platform-imposed constraints, this study investigates the factors that influence their strategic and
operational freedom.
Using a multi-method qualitative approach, the research combines a scoping review of 58 peer
reviewed articles, a comparative policy analysis of Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store, and
in-depth interviews with active complementors.
By conceptualizing autonomy as a negotiated condition across institutional, technical, and
relational dimensions, this research offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the
shifting power dynamics within digital platform ecosystems. It aims to provide important insights
for platform designers, policymakers, and digital entrepreneurs aiming to balance innovation with
control in increasingly centralized ecosystems.