From structure to process:dynamic aspects of business model change

Abstract Purpose: Extant research on business models does not address the question of business model evolution. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore how we can capture the dynamism of business models. Approach: We examine the applicability of the principles of complexity theory as an approach to capture the dynamic aspects of business model change. Longitudinal single case study was chosen as a methodological strategy. Findings: Complexity theory allows capturing dynamics of the business model evolution. It does not picture a business model as a static snapshot but reveals how a new business model comes to be as a result of an intricate interplay between business model elements. In turn, it allows tracing the connection between the elements. This perspective assists in capturing emerging, as well as disappearing business model elements enabling us to understand and explain how business model evolves. Additionally, complexity theory helps to comprehend the connections between different business model elements. The complexity theory approach emphasizes the multi-dimensional nature of a business model allowing to understand the dynamics of the business model evolution by looking at the different levels. Additionally, complexity theory perspective reveals that dynamics of the business model evolution is predicated on different processes. It implies that contrary to the current attempts of the extant research to develop business model kinds and types, complexity theory allows appreciating unique nature of any business model without trying to classify or categorize it. Value: Understanding the dynamics of business model evolution helps to reflect on business model design and anticipate consequences of change

Toward smart city business models

Abstract This paper discusses a business model concept in a public smart city context. To date, there is no unified understanding of how smart cities create value for their stakeholders. This study aims to contribute to the research by investigating the content and dynamics of a business model approach for smart cities

Introduction to special issue “Mobile Communications and Novel Business Models”

With the ongoing introduction of 5G, the fifth generation of mobile communications technologies, the mobile communications sector is facing disruption in regulative, business and technology domains [...

EaaS:electricity as a service?

Abstract 1. Purpose: Innovative business models have been transforming and disrupting traditional industries in an unprecedented speed. The energy industry is no exception. The advent of smart grid has initiated paradigm shifts from traditional product-based business models to service provision. An essential question is that, “How can energy industry create and capture new value from service business, turning the existing product-based business model to service orientation?” 2. Research gaps: This study addresses research gaps regarding 1) the value perspective for business model; 2) the ecosystem thinking for complex industries; 3) maximising systemic value for an ecosystem rather than a focal firm. 3. Research design, data collection, and approach: The study collects business model case data from BRIDGE, a high-level initiative of the European Commission uniting 31 major European energy projects. The research includes the full 50 business model cases contributed by experts from 15 EU Horizon 2020 innovation projects. 4. Findings: The study utilises the 4C ecosystemic framework and the XaaS (Everything as a Service) digital service business model typologies. A key outcome is the proposition of Electricity as a Service (EaaS) concept with four service business model typologies for the energy sector, proposing a new service business paradigm for the energy ecosystem. 5. Originality and value: The study proposes a value-based approach and service-dominant logic towards business model research at ecosystemic level. For the first time, the study introduces the XaaS service business typologies, investigating how this well-established ICT (Information and Communication Technology) business concept can enable the digitalisation of the energy industry

Business model scalability in the cloud business context

Abstract Purpose: The paper explores the antecedents to business model scalability. Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper is conceptual and exploratory in nature and builds on the practice/action learning approach. Practical Implications: From a managerial and entrepreneurial perspective, the findings of the paper highlight the role and dynamism of the business environment and the continuous assessment of the business environment in evaluating business opportunity and changes in opportunity. Originality/Value: The paper proposes a novel framework for business model synchronization against business opportunity, and vice versa. It also connects the business model to the market and hence to the market value of the firm

Moving from 5G in verticals to sustainable 6G:business, regulatory and technical research prospects

Abstract Mobile communication research is increasingly addressing the use of 5G in verticals, which has led to the emergence of local and often private 5G networks. At the same time, research on 6G has started, with a bold goal of building a strong linkage between 6G and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Both of these developments call for a highly multi-disciplinary approach covering the inter-related perspectives of business, regulation and technology. This paper summarizes recent advances in using 5G to serve vertical sectors’ needs and describes a path towards sustainable 6G considering business, regulation and technology viewpoints. By focusing on key trends, the research summarizes four alternative scenarios for the futures business of 6G and considers related regulatory and technology aspects. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding the complex relations of business, regulation and technology perspectives and the role of ecosystems in both 5G in verticals and ultimately in the development of sustainable 6G to bring together stakeholders to solve long-term sustainability problems

Novel context and platform driven business models via 5G networks

Abstract Despite the advancement of technologies and novel use cases that are labeled as belonging to the next generation of mobile communications known as 5G, the future of 5G business models remains unclear. In this paper, we explore how the evolution of future 5G business could unfold. We construct a framework for analyzing 5G business models by combining resource configuration and 4C — commerce, context, content and connection — business model typology framework views, and offer an overview of 5G business model evolution. Specific attention is paid to four themes: resources, value creation, value capture, and the role of platforms. This paper tackles today’s unprecedented challenges of enabling and stimulating multiple cross industry stakeholders to have a more active participation in the 5G market. The results derived from the data collected from an expert workshop identify two transformations in the development of future 5G business: from connectivity towards context and from value chain integration towards platform orchestration. The developed resource configuration framework provides a dynamic framework for analyzing and developing the 5G enabled novel use cases and business models

White paper on business of 6G

Abstract 6G vision and the industry consensus of underlying technology enablers have come a long way and will shape the new access, networking, and service domains in future mobile communications. These novel features promise countless opportunities for service innovation and business efficiencies, creating an unprecedented impact on multiple vertical sectors. 6G will connect worlds in novel and innovative ways — the physical and digital worlds will be deeply intertwined in real time, human biological systems will be seamlessly coupled, and at the same time, there will be a new human sensory and cognitive dimension across the scenarios of the 6G experience. Key technology-enabling themes to be explored will include the pervasive leverage of machine learning and artificial intelligence across architectural domains to flexibly define the air interface, as well as service management and orchestration in the 6G “network of networks” topology and platform ecosystem. Terahertz (THz) research is one of the prominent topics, utilizing spectral bands of above 100 GHz for both communications and sensing purposes, thereby enabling connectivity data speeds in the Terabit/s range. We foresee millions of sub-networks and devices becoming the network in conjunction with extreme performance attributes in terms of both sub-millisecond latency, high reliability and time-sensitive determinism, and advanced ways to assure security, privacy, and trust. In line with 6G vision and technology enablers, developing products, services, and vertical applications for the future digitized society in the 6G era requires a multidisciplinary approach and a redefinition of how we create, deliver, and consume network resources, data, and services for both communications and sensing purposes. This development will change and disrupt the traditional business models and ecosystem roles of digital service providers, as well as open the market for key stakeholders in the 6G era like digital service operators, cloud operators, and resource brokers. Furthermore, sustainable development is a highly complex area that will call for major changes in industrialized society in the long run. This white paper discusses the unprecedented opportunities to enable and empower multiple stakeholders to more actively participate in the future 6G ecosystem via novel sustainable open ecosystemic business models with flexible integration of long tail services with tailored performance attributes. This research adopts a qualitative scenario planning method, portraying three scenario themes resulting in a total of 12 scenarios for the futures of the 6G business. We present both optimistic and pessimistic scenarios, and assess their probability, plausibility, and preferability. By focusing on key trends, their interactions, and irreducible uncertainties, scenario building generates perspectives for the futures within which alternative 6G business strategies have been developed and assessed for a traditional incumbent mobile network operator, and a novel 6G digital service provider stemming from redefined sustainable economics. Value capture in the 6G era requires an understanding of the dynamics of platforms and ecosystems. The results indicate that to reach some of the preferred futures, we should attend to the privacy and security issues related to business and regulation needs: public/governmental, corporate, community, and user perspectives on and aims of governance; ecosystem configuration related to users, decentralized business models, and platforms; user empowerment; and the role of service location-specificity

Visions for 6G futures:a causal layered analysis

Abstract This study extends and deepens the joint 6G vision building stemming from use cases, enabling technologies, key performance indicators (KPIs), key value indicators (KVIs), and business scenario litanies towards the social, the worldview, and the metaphors layers utilizing causal layered analysis (CLA) method. 6G visions are explored from different national perspectives assessing future initiatives from China, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and the US. The multiple ideologies and epistemes of the stakeholders are mapped to create a transformed future vision emphasizing the importance of 6G design from the triple bottom line of sustainability, including social, economic, and environmental perspectives. Collaborative research, harmonized standardization, and anticipatory regulation efforts were found essential in developing trustworthy and general-purpose 6G technologies for users and developers

Spectrum management in the 6G era:the role of regulation and spectrum sharing

Abstract Spectrum management plays a key role in the deployment of new wireless technologies. Regulators in the 5G era have introduced a variety of spectrum management approaches that allow the deployment of new cellular networks including traditional exclusively nationwide licensing, local licensing and unlicensed approaches involving varying levels of spectrum sharing. The upcoming 6G era in the 2030s will face new challenges resulting from the ever-increasing variety of considered spectrum bands for 6G with drastically different propagation characteristics and the increasing fragmentation of spectrum management approaches. This paper provides an overview of spectrum management for mobile communication networks including the most recent 5G spectrum decisions. The paper discusses the role of spectrum sharing in the upcoming 6G era and related enabling technologies. The paper opens the door for 6G spectrum discussions with an emphasis on what is different in 6G while taking into account the challenges arising from the underlying regulatory environment