The Matrix as an Economic Network Model: Structures, Incentives and Practical Implications for Platform Economy and Governance

Platform markets unfold their dynamics in a network of decentralised distributed knowledge and centrally controlled access. This paper develops a matrix model that brings together economic, institutional and informational perspectives to reveal the hidden structures and incentive mechanisms of digital networks. A mixed-methods approach combines theoretical foundations with practical case studies and shows how platform operators influence competition and behaviour via interfaces, data flows and algorithmic rules. The results emphasise that platform markets only remain resilient where institutional frameworks create trust, limit concentration processes and clearly manage incentives. This results in recommendations for operators, user groups and regulatory bodies on how incentive systems must be designed to ensure fairness, transparency and resilience. The work thus contributes not only to the analytical description of platform markets but also to their practical and regulatory design