Digital platforms offer vast potential for increased value creation and innovation, especially through cross-organizational data sharing. It appears that SMEs in Germany are currently hesitant or unable to create their own platforms. To get a holistic overview of the structure of the German SME-focused platform landscape (that is platforms that are led by or targeting SMEs), we applied a mixed method approach of traditional desk research and a quantitative analysis. The study identified large geographical disparity along the borders of the new and old German federal states, and overall fewer platform ventures by SMEs, rather than large companies and startups. Platform ventures for SMEs are more likely set up as partnerships. We indicate that high capital intensity might be a reason for that.

中文翻译：

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德国专注于中小企业的 B2B 平台的混合方法景观分析

数字平台为增加价值创造和创新提供了巨大潜力，尤其是通过跨组织数据共享。德国的中小企业目前似乎犹豫或无法创建自己的平台。为了全面了解以中小企业为中心的德国平台格局（即由中小企业领导或针对中小企业的平台）的结构，我们采用了传统案头研究和定量分析的混合方法。该研究发现，德国新旧联邦州边界沿线存在巨大的地理差异，中小企业而非大公司和初创公司的平台风险总体上较少。中小企业的平台企业更有可能建立为合作伙伴关系。我们指出高资本密集度可能是一个原因。