This paper motivates, describes, demonstrates in use, and evaluates the Open Models Laboratory (OMiLAB)-an open digital ecosystem designed to help one conceptualize and operationalize conceptual modeling methods. The OMiLAB ecosystem, which a generalized understanding of "model value" motivates, targets research and education stakeholders who fulfill various roles in a modeling method's lifecycle. While we have many reports on novel modeling methods and tools for various domains, we lack knowledge on conceptualizing such methods via a full-fledged dedicated open ecosystem and a methodology that facilitates entry points for novices and an open innovation space for experienced stakeholders. This gap continues due to the lack of an open process and platform for 1) conducting research in the field of modeling method design, 2) developing agile modeling tools and model-driven digital products, and 3) experimenting with and disseminating such methods and related prototypes. OMiLAB incorporates principles, practices, procedures, tools, and services required to address the issues above since it focuses on being the operational deployment for a conceptualization and operationalization process built on several pillars: 1) a granularly defined "modeling method" concept whose building blocks one can customize for the domain of choice, 2) an "agile modeling method engineering" framework that helps one quickly prototype modeling tools, 3) a model-aware "digital product design lab", and 4) dissemination channels for reaching a global community. In this paper, we demonstrate and evaluate the OMiLAB in research with two selected application cases for domain-and case-specific requirements. Besides these exemplary cases, OMiLAB has proven to effectively satisfy requirements that almost 50 modeling methods raise and, thus, to support researchers in designing novel modeling methods, developing tools, and disseminating outcomes. We also measured OMiLAB's educational impact.

Third-party innovators, i.e., complementors, in platform enterprises develop and commercialize add-on products which are one of the main attraction points for customers. To ensure a sustainable evolution of the enterprise, the platform owner needs to attract and retain high-quality third-party innovators. We posit that the transaction costs incurred upon joining the enterprise as well as the controls imposed by the platform owner throughout the development and commercialization process shape the innovator's perceived risk and influence his decision on whether to join or not. Based on a literature review, the paper at hand proposes a conceptual model for complementors to assess their perceived risk and subsequently evaluates the model in a case study of a platform enterprise for IT-based modelling tools. While some of the propositions are validated, i.e., that informational controls decrease the perceived environmental uncertainty and implicitly the perceived risks, other propositions, such as the fact that asset specificity is a deterrent to entering the platform enterprise could not be validated. Further case studies are necessary to provide a conclusive proof of the proposed model.

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The role of information systems (IS) evolved from supporting basic business functions to complex integrated enterprise platforms and ecosystems. As a result, enterprises increasingly adopt enterprise architecture (EA) as a means to manage complexity and support the ability to change. We initiated a study that investigates the pivotal role of enterprise architecture management (EAM) as an essential strategy to manage enterprise change and within this larger context, specifically how the ArchiMate modeling language can be enhanced with capabilities that support EAM. This paper reports on the evaluation of an EA modeling tool (TEAM) which has been enhanced with EAM capabilities. The evaluation was performed by a focus group of enterprise architects that attended a workshop and applied the tool to an EAM case study. The evaluation results, requirements as well as a conceptualization for further development are presented and are of value for both, enterprise architecture researchers and enterprise architects.

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