Abstract: The business model concept is frequently used on an organizational level to explain how companies do business. However, firm relations on an inter-organizational level—within an industrial cluster, for example—become more and more important for a company’s competitive position. These clusters even define their own business models. This empirical, quantitative study seeks to develop a business model typology for industrial clusters by transferring the business model concept from the organizational to the inter-organizational level. We investigate the business model elements of 236 industrial clusters, develop a business model typology and analyze performance differentials between the resulting business models types. Preliminary results show that five distinct types of cluster business models emerge out of the data and that performance differs between these five types.

Abstract: This article examines how a hybrid business model is emerged from a newspaper firm’s transformation process. Through a qualitative case study, this findings describes three patterns of navigating resource flow: (1) resource effectuating, which explains how one resource could be put into multiple applications; (2) resource crossing-over, which illustrates how cross-boundary collaboration may create new resources; and (3) resource recycling, which converts the value of a seemingly less useful resource. Theoretically, this study added to open innovation theories and business model literature by showing the link between resource flow and hybrid business models. Practically, this paper examines how enterprises may achieve resources synergy to bring about business model innovations.

Abstract: A considerable number of empirical studies on business models has been conducted in the context of mass markets given that many companies of all types strove to introduce blockbuster products and services. But now many companies involved in software, services of all types and drug development are capitalizing on the opportunity to cater to niche markets. Our exploratory study extends emerging efforts in the business models literature to better understand the birth and dissemination of business models in niche markets. Using longitudinal data linking, rare diseases, orphan drugs, related patents, and various organizations involved in their development we trace emergence and dissemination of niche buster business model in the pharmaceutical industry, which is often referred to as markets for orphan drugs.

Abstract: This study reveals how failure, defined as a rare event, enables firms to innovate their business models. Specifically, we investigate through longitudinal in-depth cases studies of 20 Latin American multinationals how failure in their internationalization influenced their further internationalization attempts and how it encouraged them to innovate their business models. Particularly, we are interested to find out what exactly were the failures and what were they caused by, how the firms reacted to the failures and how the failures led to the innovation of their business models. Moreover, we are focused on the capabilities that are necessary to be able to transition from failure through business model innovation.