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Imitation Processes And Their Application For Business Model Innovation: An Explorative Study

Author

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  • ELLEN ENKEL

    (Dr. Manfred Bischoff Institute for Innovation Management of EADS, Zeppelin University, Friedrichshafen, Am Seemoser Horn 20, 88045 Friedrichshafen, Germany)

  • FLORIAN MEZGER

    (Dr. Manfred Bischoff Institute for Innovation Management of EADS, Zeppelin University, Friedrichshafen, Am Seemoser Horn 20, 88045 Friedrichshafen, Germany)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the approach of imitation (across industry boundaries) on business models. We analyzed nine case studies of firms that introduced breakthrough business models by transferring and adapting characteristic business model components of other industries. Our results show that companies can facilitate cross-industry innovation on business model level through a process of abstraction, analogy identification and adaptation. Imitation is realized by deconstructing and mapping business model components based on their contribution to abstract, generic elements of the value proposition. We propose a systematic process model for business model innovation analyzing structural similarities between industries on the level of these abstract elements linked to specific other components of the business model. Firms can leverage this process by transformative learning processes, especially provided through a broad industrial and functional experience of members in business model innovation teams.

Suggested Citation

  • Ellen Enkel & Florian Mezger, 2013. "Imitation Processes And Their Application For Business Model Innovation: An Explorative Study," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 17(01), pages 1-34.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ijimxx:v:17:y:2013:i:01:n:s1363919613400057
    DOI: 10.1142/S1363919613400057
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Daniela Andreini & Cristina Bettinelli & Nicolai J. Foss & Marco Mismetti, 2022. "Business model innovation: a review of the process-based literature," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 26(4), pages 1089-1121, December.
    2. Kajsa Ahlgren Ode & Céline Louche, 2022. "A business model pattern arrives... and then? A translation perspective on business model innovation in established firms," Post-Print hal-03633349, HAL.
    3. Arash Najmaei, 2016. "Revisiting The Modularity-Performance Nexus: Business Model Innovation As A Missing Mechanism," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 20(07), pages 1-41, October.
    4. Candi, Marina & Kitagawa, Fumi, 2022. "Performance implications of business model centrality over technology-based firms’ life courses," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    5. Kesting, Peter & Günzel-Jensen, Franziska, 2015. "SMEs and new ventures need business model sophistication," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 58(3), pages 285-293.
    6. Shrutika Mishra & A. R. Tripathi, 2020. "Literature review on business prototypes for digital platform," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-19, December.
    7. Lu Zhang & Xuanzhi Yang & Sulu Zhu & Zhengyi Xia, 2023. "Business Model Innovation and Performance of Startups: The Moderating Role of External Legitimacy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Bilal Bourkha & Adam Dewitte & Jérémy Tantely Ranjatoelina, 2016. "Organizing the imitation of an innovative business model: four propositions to operationalize a strategy of imitation [Organiser l'imitation d'un business model innovant : Quatre propositions pour ," Post-Print hal-01987155, HAL.
    9. Raphaël Maucuer & Alexandre Renaud, 2019. "Business Model Research: A Bibliometric Analysis of Origins and Trends," Post-Print hal-01918188, HAL.
    10. Carmona-Lavado, Antonio & Gimenez-Fernandez, Elena M. & Vlaisavljevic, Vesna & Cabello-Medina, Carmen, 2023. "Cross-industry innovation: A systematic literature review," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    11. Heider, Anne & Gerken, Maike & van Dinther, Nicolas & Hülsbeck, Marcel, 2021. "Business model innovation through dynamic capabilities in small and medium enterprises – Evidence from the German Mittelstand," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 635-645.
    12. Müller, Julian Marius & Buliga, Oana & Voigt, Kai-Ingo, 2018. "Fortune favors the prepared: How SMEs approach business model innovations in Industry 4.0," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 2-17.
    13. Bilal Bourkha & Adam Dewitte & Jeremy Tantely Ranjatoelina, 2015. "Organiser l'imitation d'un business model innovant : quatre propositions pour les entreprises," Working Papers hal-01202625, HAL.

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