In business development, a wide range of ideas and conceptual tools are employed to facilitate understanding and change. Graphical models are commonly used to express and communicate the views of people involved. However, without knowledge of what business modelling means for business development, the efforts can easily be hindered instead of supported. This thesis contributes new insights relevant both for professionals involved in business development, and for researchers exploring information and business. It comprises eleven distinctive chapters, seven of which have been previously published in conference proceedings and edited books. In addition to introduction and integration chapters, the thesis comprises four main parts that deals with theoretical structuring, empirical description, frame development, and frame application, respectively. In the part on theoretical structuring, a conceptual framework of the use of business models in development work is developed. Based on theories of signs, learning, and knowledge paradigms, the framework characterises different model artefacts, model activities, and model assumptions. For the part on empirical description, two cases of business development and the use of graphical models are provided. The first case addresses concerns and challenges for process owners at Ericsson Radio, and the second deals with dilemmas that influence the work on process orientation and business descriptions at Sweden Post. In the third part of the thesis, frame development, a set of business frames in the form of modelling perspectives are elaborated. Three specific frames – value, process, and concept – are detailed in conjunction with three critical areas of exploration within a business: strategy solutions, operations solutions, and information solutions. For the part on frame application, the elaborated set of business frames is used in eleven cases of business analysis in order to explore framing challenges in practice. For overall conclusions, the meaning of business modelling for business development is characterised in four ways: First, it means versatility, in that not only different model artefacts, but also different model activities and model assumptions influence the development work. Second, it means depth-seeing, in that the frames together give extra dimensions to the framing of business. Third, it means delimitation, in that the modelling frames not only comprise specific perspectives on the business, but also imply more or less explicit ideas on what to include and exclude. Finally, business modelling means dual dependencies, in that the models are seen as reliant both on the business itself, and on the people producing and using the models. Table of contents: INTRODUCTION   1. Business Modelling for Business Development PART I: THEORETICAL STRUCTURING   2. The Role of Business Models in Development Work PART II: EMPIRICAL DESCRIPTION   3. Process Ownership in a Rapid Growth Situation  4. Sweden Post’s Exploration of Processes and Descriptions PART III: FRAME DEVELOPMENT   5. Using Business Models in Process Orientation  6. Value Modelling for Exploring Strategy Solutions  7. Process Modelling for Exploring Operations Solutions  8. Concept Modelling for Exploring Information Solutions PART IV: FRAME APPLICATION   9. Challenges in 11 Cases of Business Analysis INTEGRATION   10. What Business Modelling Means for Business Development  11. Implications and Reflections / <p>Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 2005</p>

In der Verkehrswirtschaft findet ein von der Europäischen Union ausgelöster Deregulierungsprozess statt, welcher zu neuen und wissenschaftlich bisher nicht identifizierten Geschäftsmodellen in den Transportketten des Schienengüterverkehrs in Europa geführt hat. Diese Geschäftsmodelle stellen den Untersuchungsgegenstand der Dissertation dar. Zur Durchführung deren Identifikation definiert der Autor ein Geschäftsmodellverständnis und grenzt dieses vom Strategiebegriff ab. Er konkretisiert den Geschäftsmodellbegriff mit der Art und Weise der Wertschöpfung im Unternehmen und nutzt dafür unter anderem theoretische Ansätze des strategischen Managements und der Institutionenökonomie. Die gewählten Ansätze verknüpft er zu einem Wertschöpfungswürfel, mit welchem er die Identifikation der Wertschöpfung in den Geschäftsmodellen des Schienengüterverkehrs vornimmt. Den Leistungsumfang der Geschäftsmodelle des Schienengüterverkehrs gegenüber den Kunden bringt der Autor durch die Berücksichtigung der Transportketten in die Diskussion ein. Aus den Dimensionen Art und Weise der Wertschöpfung und Leistungsumfang in den Transportketten bildet er ein Portfolio zur Geschäftsmodellidentifikation, welches neun theoretische Geschäftsmodelle in den Transportketten des europäischen Schienengüterverkehrs beschreibt. Um die Geschäftsmodelle auch empirisch nachzuweisen führt der Autor eine Studie unter Güterbahnen im deutschsprachigen Raum durch. Die Auswertung erfolgt mittels einer Korrespondenzanalyse, durch welche das theoretisch aufgestellte Portfolio bestätigt wird und sechs zum Teil signifikant verschiedene Geschäftsmodelle in den Transportketten des Schienengüterverkehrs identifiziert werden. Mittels der entwickelten Geschäftsmodelllogik ermittelt der Autor den Veränderungsbedarf je Geschäftsmodell, wofür auch erweiterte Korrespondenzanalyen zur Anwendung kommen. (Autorenreferat) / In transport economics a deregulation process is taking place, triggered by the European Union, which has led to new and not scientifically identified business models in transport chains of European rail freight transport. These business models represent the examination subject of the thesis. For their identification the author defines an understanding of business model and delimits this from the strategy concept. He puts the business model concept in concrete terms with the way of the added value in the enterprise and uses among other things theoretical approaches of the strategic management and the institutional economics. He connects the chosen approaches to an added value cube with which he carries out the identification of the added value in the business models of rail freight transport. Considering also transport chains the author brings into the discussion the scope of work of the business models of rail freight transport for the customer. Out of the dimensions ‘way of the added value’ and ‘scope of work in the transport chains’ he forms a portfolio for the business model identification which describes nine theoretical business models in the transport chains of the European rail freight transport. To prove the business models also empirically, the author carries out a study under railway undertakings in the German-speaking area. The examination of the study was done with a correspondence analysis with which the theoretically built portfolio was confirmed and six partly significantly different business models in the transport chains of the rail freight transport were identified. By means of the developed business model logic the author determines the change requirement per business model. For this he uses also enlarged applications of the correspondence analysis. (Author’s abstract)

Diffusion of microgeneration technologies, particularly rooftop photovoltaic (PV), represents a key option in reducing emissions in the residential sector. This thesis uses a uniquely rich dataset from the burgeoning residential PV market in Texas to study the nature of the consumer’s decision-making process in the adoption of these technologies. Focusing on the financial metrics and the information decision makers use to base their decisions upon, I study how the leasing and buying models affect individual choices and, thereby, the adoption of capital-intensive energy technologies. Overall, the leasing model is found to more effectively address consumers’ informational requirements. Contrary to previous studies, buyers and lessees of PV are not found to substantially differ along socio-demographic variables, though they do differ significantly along cash availability, levels of environmental concern, and relative importance of financial aspects. Instead, the leasing model has opened up the residential PV market to a new, and potentially very large, consumer segment—those with a tight cash flow situation. / text

This thesis examines companies offering their services for free to Internet users, byemploying digital free business models. As a framework Chris Anderson’s classificationsof “free” business models are used. A sample of eleven companies that provide “free”services was selected and divided into four groups. These were search engine, socialnetworking/community, content based and others. Their profitability was then measuredin relation to their valuation with the help of P/E ratios within and among the groups. Aregression analysis was also conducted to compare profitability of either one of two“free” business models used by the researched companies.Findings were that search engine and social networking/community companies appear tohave profits for the period researched. No strong trend for overvaluation could be foundin either of these groups, except for individual companies with high P/E ratios. Neithercompany within the content based group showed any profits. Their marginal costs weretoo high but this may change with technological progress. Regression analysis could notshow any significant results employing either the “Freemium” or the advertising “free”business model to be more profitable than the other. Significant results could be shownbeing a content based company and being unprofitable. Comparison between specificcompanies gave mixed results but network effects appear to create dominant playerswithin each group. Employing more than only the advertising “free” business modelseems to be efficient in raising revenue per user for social networking/communitycompanies.

Dans les sphères du développement durable, des modèles d’affaires et du design de produit, certains leviers rendent le croisement de ces trois sphères de plus en plus pertinent. Au croisement de ces trois sphères se trouve une opportunité de comprendre les relations existantes entre le design de produit et les modèles d’affaires afin d’aider les décideurs à développer des solutions davantage durables. L’approche méthodologique de cette recherche utilise un système complexe et est basée sur un paradigme pragmatique. En vue de répondre à la question « Dans quelle mesure des modèles d’affaires et le design de produit sont liés dans un contexte de développement durable? », cette recherche a soigneusement analysé trois cas: Better Place, une compagnie californienne ayant développé une infrastructure permettant le chargement des voitures électriques; Interface Inc., un manufacturier mondial de tuiles de tapis commerciales établi à Atlanta; et Métacycle, un concept d’entreprise développé par une équipe de chercheurs en design à Montréal. Chaque cas a été analysé en corrélant des aspects du design de produit à des éléments de leur modèle d’affaires. Les résultats montrent que dans le contexte du développement durable, le design de produit et les modèles d’affaires sont interdépendants. Les résultats peuvent être résumés en six points: il existe des relations applicables universellement; les innovations de design substantielles jouent un rôle important dans le développement durable; la « durabilité » peut être une qualité émergente d’un modèle d’affaires; les partenariats peuvent être vitaux pour l’intégration des systèmes; un modèle de services a des bénéfices et des limitations considérables; le design peut agir comme levier à l’utilisation d’énergies renouvelables. Pratiquer simultanément l’innovation du modèle d’affaires et du produit peut apporter une valeur ajoutée, susciter des opportunités et augmenter l’efficience sur plusieurs facettes. Toutefois, les risques et les coûts de tels procédés sont souvent très élevés. En aidant à comprendre et définir comment les trois sphères mentionnées plus tôt sont interdépendantes, cette recherche pourrait idéalement inspirer des recherches supplémentaires sur le sujet. L’application par des organisations de la méthodologie et des apprentissages résultant de cette recherche peut permettre à d’autres d’utiliser le croisement entre l’innovation de produit et l’innovation du modèle d’affaires afin de résoudre des enjeux sociaux et environnementaux complexes. / Certain drivers in the fields of sustainability, business models, and product design are making the intersection between these three fields increasingly relevant. At this intersection is the opportunity to understand the relationships that exist between product design and business models to help decision makers develop more sustainable solutions. The methodology of this research uses a complex systems approach and is grounded in a pragmatist paradigm. To answer the question “In the context of sustainability, in what way are business models and product design related?”, this research has carefully analysed three cases: Better Place, a US based company that has developed a charging infrastructure for electric cars; Interface Inc., a global commercial carpet tile manufacturer based in Atlanta, Georgia; and Metacycle, a company concept developed by a team of design researchers in Montréal, Québec. Each case is analysed by correlating aspects of product design to elements of the business model and assessing how these relationships affect the sustainability of the company. The results show that product design, business models, and sustainability are inextricably connected. The results can be summarized in six key insights: there are universally applicable relationships; discontinuous design innovation can play a vital role in sustainability; sustainability is an emergent quality of a business model; key partnerships support systems level integration; a service revenue model has significant benefits and limitations; design innovation can help drive the shift to renewable energy. Conducting business model innovation and product innovation simultaneously can have large payouts in the form of creating new value, uncovering opportunities, and increasing efficiencies many fold, however the risks and costs of such a process are often very high. Applying the methodology and lessons of this research to one’s own organization could help to uncover new opportunities for innovation and help create more sustainable solutions. This research, by helping to understand and define how these areas are inextricably related and interdependent, will hopefully inspire further research on the subject and help others to use the intersection between product design and business model innovation to solve complex problems, be they social, environmental or otherwise.

物聯網 (IoT): 將為汽車產業打造一個全新的商業模式 / We are living in an era of the “Internet of Things” as we are more than ever connected to the Internet with our smartphones, tablets, PCs, and etc. With technological advancement in terms of increased broadband coverage and changes in customer behavior, more and more “things” will be connected in retail, infrastructure, home and office buildings, and etc. The communication of devices opens up new business opportunities with increased involvement of services including IT, financial, data analytics, media, and etc. Smart mobility is on the rise, specifically with the Connected Car. Vehicle owners and potential consumers are interested in having connectivity inside a car in addition to services that give them access to applications for information, content and entertainment. With many benefits and opportunities in the Automotive IoT field, stakeholders within the IoT ecosystem including service providers, software developers, automakers, hardware manufacturers, and etc. can reap a great deal of revenue through unique business models that require strategic partnerships, technological innovation and value-added services to deliver to the customer.

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Ein Geschäftsmodell wird durch einen Geschäftsgegenstand, ein dazugehöriges Nutzenmodell, eine Wertschöpfungskonfiguration und ein Erlösmodell beschrieben. Eine tiefere Analyse des Web2.0-hänomens, welches durch Technologien, Anwendungen und soziale Strömungen gekennzeichnet ist, zeigt, dass - zumindest in der digitalen Ökonomie - alle Elemente des Quadrupels Geschäftsmodell beeinflusst sind. Insbesondere werden die Wertschöpfungsarchitekturen und -konfigurationen eines jeden Unternehmens, einer jeden Organisation und der gesamten Volkswirtschaft neu definiert. Im Artikel werden zunächst die klassischen Geschäftsmodelle der Pre-Web2.0-Ära beschrieben und darauf basierend die Angriffspunkte durch Web2.0 auf die einzelnen Merkmale dargestellt. Das entstehende Schema kann zur systematischen Suche und Klassifizierung neuer oder schon existierender Web2.0-Modelle verwendet werden. Aus den beschriebenen Veränderungen erwächst ein ungeheurer Anpassungsdruck für Unternehmen und Organisationen. Die Arbeit schließt mit einer Charakterisierung der möglichen und notwendigen Anpassungsschritte, die neben dem Aufladen existierender Nutzen- und Erlösmodelle, insbesondere ein radikales Umdenken in Wertschöpfungsarchitekturen und –konfigurationen erfordern.

Neoliberal ideologies have been adopted through most of the developed world. In North America, they dominate and provide the backdrop for the way decisions are made, organisations are governed, and policies are considered and implemented. Universities have not been exempt from the pressures of neoliberalism and increasingly are becoming what is being referred to as ‘corporatised’. Using a multi-institutional ethnographic case study, drawing on elements of institutional ethnography and using discourse analysis and interviews, this research focused on these topics with four research intensive universities in British Columbia: UBC, UNBC, UVic and SFU. This research sought to answer the question: In what ways is corporatisation visible in the practices and discourses related to university research in British Columbia, and, in turn, what impacts are being felt? The findings from the research indicated that there is, as might be expected, strong support for post-secondary education. The rhetoric in the documents from the universities and governments shows a ‘grand vision’ for education as the cornerstone of a successful society. The findings confirm that universities are viewed internally and externally as important and that, in turn, research and discovery is paramount. However, what the research also showed was that there are differing views among those in power regarding how that vision plays out. Those differences can be summarized as: citizen preparation versus job training; social innovation versus commercial innovation; targeted research (both in the type of research carried out and to what ends); and the level of autonomy of the university. These tensions can be considered through the theoretical frameworks that guided the research: commodification (i.e., of education and research); resource dependence theory; and institutional theory. Universities are increasingly being corporatised and this is visible in: increased oversight and control by governments with regard to the direction of the university, both from an educational and research perspective; an emphasis on the fiscal bottom line; increased accountability requirements (in complexity and frequency) related to funding for educational programs and research; increased demands for, and focus on, demonstrable impacts and quantifiable measures from research; a reduced amount of collegial governance; increased bureaucracy; and pressures to adopt business models, practices, and processes from the private sector. / Graduate

Disruptive Innovation, according to the term’s founder Clayton Christensen, is defined as a specific type of innovation that is able to capture the lower-end of the market through quality, feature, or cost differences and leverage this position to achieve higher market share. Entrepreneurs who utilize disruptive innovation strategies have been historically able to create products and services that achieve massive financial and cultural success. Theories of personality characteristics have been previously applied to entrepreneurial activities, but not used to bridge the gap between developmental experiences and market success. Cross-industry analysis of ten top entrepreneurial business leaders from retail, food services, and consumer electronics allows for the identification of certain personality characteristics and influences present in the early lives and careers of highly successful entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs can be categorized according to inherent skills and personality characteristics, which suggest either revolutionary or architecturally brilliant product or service creation. Patterns of conceptual product ideation and business model evolution show that there are similarities between experiences in an entrepreneur’s formative years and the implementation of a business model and strategy. Implications of highly successful business models as they relate to marketplace dynamics include financial success, cultural impact, and institutionalization. To varying degrees, disruptive entrepreneurs are able to institutionalize their business concepts in order to ensure lasting success in their respective marketplaces.