A dynamic business modelling approach to design and experiment new business venture strategies

Managers involved in business model innovation (BMI) encounter a series of cognitive challenges. Although cognition research provides important insights into how visual tools can reduce cognitive challenges, it does not address the effective design of business model tools. To advance our understanding in this area, this research applies a cognition-centered perspective to analyze different visual business model representations. It builds upon a systematic literature review that identifies a selection of 45 visual representations from the academic literature and a sample of 50 visualizations from outside the academic realm. A content analysis of the sample reveals that all visual business model representations can be classified into three complementary categories, leading to a novel framework for distinguishing business model understandings. After assigning each visual representation to the framework, we use findings from the cognition literature to derive recommendations on how to select suitable graphic forms for different phases of the BMI process. Thus, this research contributes to the broader understanding of how visual tools can support business model innovation at a cognitive level.

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Visual tools for business model innovation: Recommendations from a cognitive perspective

In the last decade, business models for sustainability have gained increasing attraction by corporate sustainability scholars with international conferences and scientific journals encouraging the development of the debate on their design, use and innovation processes. Capitalizing on the basic principles, requirements, and methodological limitations found in the literature on sustainability‐oriented business model design, this paper aims to conceptualize a dynamic business modeling for sustainability approach, which combines an adapted sustainable business model canvas and system dynamics modeling. To this end, the paper also illustrates the key operating principles of the proposed approach through an exemplary application to Patagonia's business model. Findings suggest that dynamic business modeling for sustainability may contribute to sustainable business model research and practice by introducing a systemic design tool, which frames environmental, social, and economic drivers of value generation into a dynamic business model causal feedback structure, thus overcoming methodological gaps of the extant business model design tools.

Dynamic business modeling for sustainability: Exploring a system dynamics perspective to develop sustainable business models

Purpose




The purpose of this paper is to explore how system dynamics (SD) modelling can provide a methodological support to business model (BM) design with the intent to better communicate business strategy and manage performance.




Design/methodology/approach




After a literature review of the field and an analysis of the strengths and limitations of conventional BM frameworks, the paper illustrates and discusses an approach that combines such a framework with SD modelling. A single-case study design was selected to explore the implications and limitations of using this combined approach to business modelling.




Findings




The methodological support provided by SD to BM design may effectively improve business strategy communication and performance management through both the adoption of a systemic and flexible perspective able to identify and analyse the main cause-and-effect relationships between the key-elements of the business strategy, and the use of a simulation technique that contributes in understanding how a firm operates, and its prospective performance over time.




Originality/value




Growing interest for BMs appears in the recent strategic management literature with research highlighting strengths and shortcomings. However, few attempts have been produced to overcome such limitations, while the adoption of SD is relatively new in supporting BM design.

Supporting start-up business model design through system dynamics modelling

Fostering growth patterns of SMEs through business model innovation. A tailored dynamic business modelling approach

A business model is an essential part of a company—regardless of whether the company is a small entity or a global enterprise. Interest in business models in research and in practice has grown significantly in the last decade. Strategic initiatives and changes in business models are particularly cost intensive and uncertain. Thus, the analysis and understanding of a business model’s structure and its changes induced by strategic initiatives is crucial. Approaches to business model analysis needs to support strategists and decision-makers, enabling them to evaluate strategic initiatives and alternatives in fluent environments where there is little or no prior experience. However, regrettably, the qualitative approaches currently available fall short of providing sound guidelines especially in uncertain, highly volatile situations that involve rapid technological developments and agile competitors, which middle managers and top-level executives are often faced with. The quantitative approach used in the article concerning business model analysis is founded on a systemic simulation methodology which enables decision makers to obtain insightful experimental designs with a company’s business model. Computational modeling helps to understand business models as complex systems with dynamic interdependencies and thereby it can complement existing tools. This article uses the approach for a case study in the e-commerce business. It discusses advantages and disadvantages of computational modeling as a strategy and management tool.

Niklas Jovy

Papers

Business model analysis using computational modeling: a strategy tool for exploration and decision-making