Business Model Ontology Research Articles

Proposing a comprehensive framework for analysis and engineering of mobile payment business models

Although in the era of third generation (3G) mobile networks technical hurdles are minor, the continuing failure of mobile payments (m-payments) withstands the endorsement by customers and service providers. A major reason is the uncommonly high interdependency of technical, human and market factors which have to be regarded and orchestrated cohesively to solve the problem. In this paper, we apply Business Model Ontology in order to develop an m-payment business model framework based on the results of a precedent multi case study analysis of 27 m-payment procedures. The framework is depicted with a system of morphological boxes and the interrelations between the associated characteristics. Representing any m-payment business model along with its market setting and influencing decisions as instantiations, the resulting framework enables researchers and practitioners for comprehensive analysis of existing and future models and provides a helpful tool for m-payment business model engineering.

Strategic reasoning about business models: a conceptual modeling approach

Strategic reasoning about business models is an integral part of service design. In fast moving markets, businesses must be able to recognize and respond strategically to disruptive change. They have to answer questions such as: what are the threats and opportunities in emerging technologies and innovations? How should they target customer groups? Who are their real competitors? How will competitive battles take shape? In this paper we define a strategic modeling framework to help understand and analyze the goals, intentions, roles, and the rationale behind the strategic actions in a business environment. This understanding is necessary in order to improve existing or design new services. The key component of the framework is a strategic business model ontology for representing and analyzing business models and strategies, using the i* agent and goal oriented methodology as a basis. The ontology introduces a strategy layer which reasons about alternative strategies that are realized in the operational layer. The framework is evaluated using a retroactive example of disruptive technology in the telecommunication services sector from the literature.