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How do business model tools facilitate business model exploration? Evidence from action research

Author

Listed:
  • Alexia Athanasopoulou

    (Delft University of Technology)

  • Mark De Reuver

    (Delft University of Technology)

Abstract

Business model tools are commonly used to describe and communicate business model ideas. However, studies do not sufficiently address whether and how business model tools support the early, exploratory phase in which new business models are initiated, conceptualized, assessed and planned. In this exploratory phase, offerings and addressable markets are highly uncertain, which requires extensive idea generation, reframing, comparison and evaluation. This paper examines whether and how business model tools facilitate the process of business model exploration. Through action research, we find three ways in which business model tools can better facilitate the process of exploring, reframing and comparing alternative business models. The paper contributes to business model literature and managerial practice by providing empirical evidence on how tooling facilitates business model exploration.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexia Athanasopoulou & Mark De Reuver, 2020. "How do business model tools facilitate business model exploration? Evidence from action research," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(3), pages 495-508, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:elmark:v:30:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s12525-020-00418-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s12525-020-00418-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Elina Mikelsone & Inga Uvarova & Jean-Pierre Segers, 2022. "Four-step approach to idea management sequencing: redefining or reinventing values in a business model," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Rodrigo do Carmo & Carlos Jerónimo & Leandro Pereira & Álvaro Dias & Vânia Patricio, 2023. "State of the Art of Business Models: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Harry Bouwman & Mark Reuver & Marikka Heikkilä & Erwin Fielt, 2020. "Business model tooling: where research and practice meet," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(3), pages 413-419, September.
    4. Efpraxia D. Zamani & Anastasia Griva & Kieran Conboy, 2022. "Using Business Analytics for SME Business Model Transformation under Pandemic Time Pressure," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1145-1166, August.
    5. Paola Lara Machado & Montijn Ven & Banu Aysolmaz & Oktay Turetken & Jan Brocke, 2024. "Navigating Business Model Redesign: The Compass Method for Identifying Changes to the Operating Model," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 66(5), pages 607-638, October.
    6. Rainer Alt, 2020. "Electronic Markets on sustainability," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(4), pages 667-674, December.
    7. Patrícia Janošková & Filip Bajza & Katarína Repková-Štofková & Zuzana Štofková & Erika Loučanová, 2024. "Business Models of Public Smart Services for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-36, August.

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