Ecosystem legitimacy challenges in the platform, data, and artificial intelligence business model

Digitalisation lays the groundwork for the emergence of novel business models taking advantage of modern technologies. Simultaneously, the new business models face an array of legitimacy challenges. This paper proposes an integrated framework for studying legitimacy challenges through the lens of managerial choices and consequences of the business model at the ecosystemic level. It combines and elaborates on essential legitimacy aspects connected to digitalisation, reflecting on stakeholders at the business, individual and ecosystemic level. The value of the paper is based on providing a comprehensive and ecosystemic view of studying the legitimacy challenges connected to the platform, data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).