Analysis of the Dynamics from Platform Emergence Using an Actor-Network Theory: A Case Study of Tokopedia

Abstract

The emergence of digital platforms has transformed trade ecosystems by reshaping interactions among businesses, consumers, regulatory institutions, and technological infrastructures. However, the expansion of digital marketplaces has also created tensions with conventional trading systems and requires an understanding of relationships among diverse actors involved. This study aimed to analyze the dynamics of the Tokopedia digital platform using the Actor-Network Theory (ANT) approach by identifying the roles, interactions, and negotiation processes among human and non-human actors within the digital market ecosystem. A qualitative approach was employed using ANT as the analytical framework. Data were analyzed by examining network formation, translation processes, actor relationships, and the establishment of Tokopedia as an Obligatory Passage Point (OPP) within Indonesia’s digital commerce ecosystem. The findings indicated that the Tokopedia ecosystem consisted of interconnected actors, including algorithms, government regulations, logistics infrastructure, consumers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The stability of this network depended on continuous negotiations among actors to manage resistance, including challenges from conventional traders and changes in consumer behavior. The translation process demonstrated Tokopedia’s efforts to strengthen its position as an OPP by integrating various interests within the digital marketplace. The success of digital platforms is not solely determined by technological innovation but also by their ability to establish and maintain balanced relationships among diverse and adaptive actors.