Digital Convergence and Horizontal Integration Strategies

2013 ◽  
pp. 1579-1607
Author(s):  
Troy J. Strader

Digital technology is unique in that it enables convergence of access devices and content as well as convergence of industry participant operations and strategy. This digital convergence creates opportunities, and threats, for developing new business models and unique growth strategies for digital product companies. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss examples where digital product companies have taken advantage of digital convergence through horizontal integration strategies that enable them to create unique mixes of products/services and reach larger markets. Actual horizontal integration strategy examples are discussed for several industries where products are in a digital form. In addition, potential cross-industry integration strategies and online intermediary (cybermediary) strategies are identified along with tactical level strategies for mass customization and use of interactivity tools and social networking. Strategic alternatives for introduction, growth, and maturity lifecycle stages are also discussed. The rationale for these strategies and implications for managers of digital product companies are discussed along with directions for future research.

Author(s):  
Troy J. Strader

Digital technology is unique in that it enables convergence of access devices and content as well as convergence of industry participant operations and strategy. This digital convergence creates opportunities, and threats, for developing new business models and unique growth strategies for digital product companies. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss examples where digital product companies have taken advantage of digital convergence through horizontal integration strategies that enable them to create unique mixes of products/services and reach larger markets. Actual horizontal integration strategy examples are discussed for several industries where products are in a digital form. In addition, potential cross-industry integration strategies and online intermediary (cybermediary) strategies are identified along with tactical level strategies for mass customization and use of interactivity tools and social networking. Strategic alternatives for introduction, growth, and maturity lifecycle stages are also discussed. The rationale for these strategies and implications for managers of digital product companies are discussed along with directions for future research.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Mokter Hossain ◽  
Jarkko Levänen ◽  
Marleen Wierenga

ABSTRACT Firms are often criticized for their reluctance to embrace sustainability in their business strategies. Frugal innovation is a recent concept that represents a new way for firms to serve underserved customers in developing countries while also promoting sustainability. Based on three cases of frugal innovation at the grassroots level in India, this article demonstrates how frugal innovation presents a promising way to tackle some of today's pressing societal problems with new business models. We use a range of parameters for economic, social, and environmental sustainability to strengthen the case for frugal innovation. This article attempts to inspire scholars to consider frugal innovation further in their future research endeavors and encourage firms to integrate it into their existing business models.


Author(s):  
Tommi Rasila

This paper illustrates the differences between traditional and emerging business models in the recently identified Venture-to-Capital (V2C) area. This area refers to the stage in the development of a company when it is between Venture and Capital, ie. before the idea or the venture is eligible for Venture Capital investment. Many entities exist to assist companies in the V2C operating space. Most obvious taxonomy of the V2C players includes Incubators, Advisors, Business Angels and Classic/Seed VC. All these have different business models, including motive, contribution, incentive and revenue model. There is, however, a large number of new operatives in this field which do not quite fit this traditional taxonomy.In this study, a number of these new operatives are examined and their business models outlined. When comparing the traditional and new business models, three observations are made as conclusions: New models are hybrids of traditional models with only some new features; Contributing intellectual capital in the sense of sweat capital or business knowledge is seen as a key requisite; Trend goes towards obtaining equity interest in the target company for upside potential in the compensation. This study paves way to future research in creating new taxonomy for Venture-to-Capital operatives and delineating a best practice to the practitioners in the field.


Author(s):  
Arash Najmaei

Today’s world of business is increasingly witnessing exemplary firms which introduce new business models, exploit new markets and disrupt established firms in order to create a unique competitive position. Although the theoretical and conceptual posture of this phenomenon is well grounded and explained in the extant literature on disruptive innovation, little is known about strategic logic of this phenomenon. In other words, the managerial paradigm or cognitive and mental model that underlies the orchestration of micro- and macro-organizational mechanisms of a disruptive move, such as market and technological knowledge, have surprisingly received little attention. In this sense, an analytical review of literature suggests that strategic logic of a disruptive technology can be well presented through the lens of business model (BM) and its innovation. Accordingly, it is argued that business model represents a mental model which underlines activities such as acquisition of market and technological insights, opportunities and requisite actions required for transforming a disruptive idea into a disruptive market movement. This view offers new insights into the study of disruptive phenomenon. It addresses the managerial (i.e. mental model) underpinnings of disruptiveness, instead of market, economical and technological dimensions. Business model innovation (BMI) is a disruptive change in the core logic of value creation and capture. It is a value-revolutionizing framework which explicitly delineates the strategic processes of a disruptive strategy. Thus, it is essentially a paradigm for strategizing the craft of disruptive innovation (technology). Given this view, this chapter conceptually explicates this contour and shows how BMI effectuates a disruptive technological phenomenon by presenting four propositions. Finally theoretical and managerial implications of this view are illuminated in order to furthering the practice and enhancing future research in this growing field of inquiry.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 707-720
Author(s):  
Ashish Thomas

Purpose Organizations are consistently seeking innovative strategies and novel pathways to enhance business processes and create differentiation. The global business ecosystem is changing and there is growing demand for multi-modal digital technologies, big data consolidation and data analytics to harness a cost-competitive agile system. Technological convergence and integration of digital systems is one of the preferred methodologies that facilitates new and effective workflows and revives business processes. The progressive interlinking of digital technologies with business operations leads to the convergence and blending of management disciplines, devices and applications. The growing inconsistencies in managerial understanding regarding the benefits of convergence prompts a comprehensive examination of digital convergence pathways, identifying the impacts on converging entities and business objectives. The State bank of India (SBI) mega-merger case study was selected to investigate the pragmatic framework of digital convergence and to understand the impacts on interlinked entities such as: business operations, strategic management, project team that support value creation and competitive differentiation. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the phenomena of techno-fusion of emerging technologies creating new opportunities, business models and unique strategies for global banking and financial service organizations. Design/methodology/approach This study applies the qualitative, inductive research method using critical reflection of before and after the implementation of convergence and digital integration strategies. The SBI case study employs this research strategy based on the premise that banks must stay agile and highly responsive to the changing environment to enhance its value proposition and competitive differentiation objectives. The study methodology incorporates cooperative inquiry and multiple levels of analysis using data collection techniques of exhaustive review of archives, informal interviews, questionnaires and observations to identify the synergistic process improvement pathway. The study is grounded on the concept that the convergence of diverse business pathways involves innovative and interlinked project, strategic and information technology (IT) workflows that results in open innovative systems. Findings The studies identify that organizational innovation and creative solutions are a result of ecosystem turbulence, environmental force diversity, competitive pressure and the need for differentiation. Organizations that harness the power of digital fusion and convergence of management, systems and data generate a competitive advantage. The technological convergence strategy pulls multiple business and technology processes (project, strategic, IT, Cloud, AI and business process management) at the organizational, divisional or functional level generating new opportunities and threats, new business models and unique growth strategies for global banking and financial services organizations. Organizations that fully integrate techno-fusion of business and digital strategies produce synergistic effects and enhance adaptability, innovation and resiliency in the face of competitive challenges. Research limitations/implications Additional areas that can be explored further as an extension of this study are listed below: identifying factors to improve the speed of convergence; the current results are limited to large size organizations where formal management and technology functions are distinctive. Similar studies on smaller organizations are warranted. Originality/value This study focuses on the evolving field of technology innovation, which is increasingly being intertwined with business operations. Innovative digital technology is enabling the convergence of the disciplines of management, digital devices and applications. This facilitates the creation of a pragmatic framework that supports convergence of business operations, strategic management and digital fusion which leads to value creation and competitive differentiation. The techno-fusion of emerging technologies and digital strategies generates new opportunities and threats, new business models and unique growth strategies for organizations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-41
Author(s):  
Anabela Mesquita ◽  
Paula Peres

Distance learning has evolved a lot since the moment students received materials by mail and as regular correspondence. At that time, students worked already at their own pace and concluded training according to their professional work and agenda. Today, although courses by correspondence still exist, they are being quickly replaced by distance learning. And the success of this format of education are at the basis of the emergence of different offers and new business models. The success of adoption of technology depends on several factors related with the organization where it is implemented and with the individuals involved. In this paper, the authors will present a case, the evolution of the solutions offered concerning distance learning in the school under study, the actual offers and the concerns for the future. The authors will identify the factors that enabled or constrained this evolution. They will also raise some questions that are still unanswered and will point out some clues for future research.


Author(s):  
Jose Ramon Saura ◽  
Pedro R. Palos-Sanchez ◽  
Marisol B. Correia

One of the most significant changes in the last decade in the business environment has been caused by the development of information technologies and the internet. The internal structure and organization of companies has changed to evolve towards a digital environment influenced by internet business models and digital marketing (DM) techniques. This chapter develops a systematic literature review with the objective of identifying the key players in the business environment with respect to the new business models and digital marketing techniques applied to them, to improve the benefits they bring to the company. The results of the research identify and define the main actors of the electronic commerce (EC) ecosystem, as well as their typologies and the main techniques of DM used in this field of research. The results of the exploratory study can be used for future research in this field and to reinforce the reference bibliography in this area of research.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (01) ◽  
pp. 1850007 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTIN TRAPP ◽  
KAI-INGO VOIGT ◽  
ALEXANDER BREM

Business model innovation (BMI) is the process of integrating a new logic of doing business into an established firm to improve profitability or to capitalise on new business opportunities. However, existing research offers only limited clarity on BMI compared to business model upgrades or a specific product innovation. From a body of extant literature, we develop a BMI identification tool which is then tested by senior managers from four large European corporations to assess whether innovation efforts represent BMI. The tool operationalises BMI and offers straightforward criteria and indicators to assist researchers but especially practitioners at accelerating BMI in established firms. This paper closes with recommendations for future research and limitations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 570-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik Plewnia ◽  
Edeltraud Guenther

Purpose In order to guide sustainability research on the sharing economy, the purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive framework that captures the wide range of activities and business models that are considered to be part of the sharing economy. Design/methodology/approach Based on a systematic literature review and a content analysis, existing typologies are identified and analyzed for their conceptual intersections. Finally, categorizations from 43 documents are integrated into one framework. Findings Four main dimensions are identified as being used in different contexts to characterize sharing systems and were combined to form one comprehensive typology: shared good or service, market structure, market orientation, and industry sector. Originality/value The proposed typology is able to distinguish sharing activities based on their similarities and differences. Social, economic, and communicational avenues for the term “sharing” are merged into a conceptual foundation of the sharing economy. This enables researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to position their projects in the broad field of sharing. By discussing inherent tensions with regard to sustainability of the sharing economy, the offered categorizations can help to guide future research and policy intervention. Last but not least, professional managers should find valuable ideas for new business models.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 333-344
Author(s):  
Pascal Schmitt ◽  
Stefan Zorn ◽  
Kilian Gericke

AbstractAdditive manufacturing offers several potentials such as the freedom of design, part consolidation, function integration, or time and cost-savings. These potentials make AM interesting for industries such as aerospace, automotive and medical implants, and are also seen as enables for the creation of entirely new business models. Additive manufacturing has the potential to change the current manufacturing landscape substantially and has attracted much attention of industry and academia over the last decades.However, these developments require improvements concerning the technology itself and its successful implementation into the value creation chain. Driven by the promising market opportunities and upcoming technological developments, many research activities started.This paper presents a literature review of publications from the last 20 years. Based on this analysis, the evolution of the AM research landscape is portrayed. The research landscape is organised into four areas: machine and process, material, digital process chain and methodology. The paper summarises developments in each of these areas and concludes by presenting current and discussing future research topics.


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