Multisidedness

Multisidedness refers to the property of having more than two sides or aspects. In various fields, it denotes complexity and the presence of multiple interconnected elements or perspectives that influence a phenomenon. For instance, in economics, multisidedness is a key characteristic of platform businesses. These platforms connect different groups of users, such as buyers and sellers on an e-commerce site or users and advertisers on a social media network. The success of these platforms depends on attracting and retaining users from each side, as the value for one side is often derived from the presence of users on the other side.

Beyond economics, the concept can be applied to understanding social issues. A multisided social problem, like poverty, might have economic, educational, health, and political dimensions that are all intertwined. Addressing such a problem effectively requires considering and engaging with all these different facets. Similarly, in scientific research, a multisided approach might involve drawing on expertise from multiple disciplines to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a complex system. The core idea is that viewing a subject from a single perspective can be limiting, and acknowledging and integrating multiple sides provides a richer and more complete picture.