App ecosystem analysis

Fernando van der Vlist; Anne Helmond; Esther Weltevrede

doi:10.4324/9781003166016-38

App ecosystem analysis

Fernando van der Vlist
, Anne Helmond
, Esther Weltevrede

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter introduces methods for analysing app ecosystems, emphasizing that apps are not stand-alone entities but exist within larger ecosystems. It outlines three approaches: apps “for that,” examining thematic collections of apps like those addressing the COVID-19 pandemic; apps “for” apps, focusing on apps developed for specific platforms like social media apps; and apps in apps, investigating third-party services embedded within apps. The chapter concludes by highlighting the importance of these approaches for understanding the cultural, economic and political dynamics of app ecosystems.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The Routledge Companion to Mobile Media
Subtitle of host publication	Second Edition
Editors	Gerard Goggin, Larissa Hjorth
Publisher	Routledge
Pages	299-310
Number of pages	12
Edition	2
ISBN (Electronic)	9781003166016
ISBN (Print)	9781040396049
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003166016-38
Publication status	Published - 2 Sept 2025

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6 Article
1 Chapter
1 Special issue
1 Doctoral thesis 1 (Research UU / Graduation UU)

API Governance: The Case of Facebook's Evolution
van der Vlist, F. N., Helmond, A., Burkhardt, M. & Seitz, T., Apr 2022, In: Social Media + Society. 8, 2, p. 1–24 24 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Open Access
File
Making the Car ‘Platform Ready’: How Big Tech Is Driving the Platformization of Automobility
Hind, S., Kanderske, M. & van der Vlist, F. N., 1 Apr 2022, In: Social Media + Society. 8, 2, p. 1-13 13 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Open Access
File
The platform as ecosystem: Configurations and dynamics of governance and power
van der Vlist, F. N., 16 Sept 2022, Utrecht: Utrecht University. 339 p.
Research output: Thesis › Doctoral thesis 1 (Research UU / Graduation UU)

Open Access
File
How partners mediate platform power: Mapping business and data partnerships in the social media ecosystem
van der Vlist, F. & Helmond, A., 14 Jun 2021, In: Big Data & Society. 8, 1, p. 1–16 16 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Open Access
File
Pandemic platform governance: Mapping the global ecosystem of COVID-19 response apps
Dieter, M., Tkacz, N., van der Vlist, F., Weltevrede, E. & Helmond, A., 6 Aug 2021, In: Internet Policy Review. 10, 3, p. 1-28
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Open Access
File

Cite this

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App ecosystem analysis

Abstract

Access to Document

Embargoed Document

Fingerprint

Research output

API Governance: The Case of Facebook's Evolution

Making the Car ‘Platform Ready’: How Big Tech Is Driving the Platformization of Automobility

The platform as ecosystem: Configurations and dynamics of governance and power

How partners mediate platform power: Mapping business and data partnerships in the social media ecosystem

Pandemic platform governance: Mapping the global ecosystem of COVID-19 response apps

Cite this