Understanding business ecosystem using a 6C framework in Internet-of-Things-based sectors

Abstract

With fast development and application, the Internet of Things (IoT) brings more opportunities to business. This research aims to investigate how IoT could lead to a co-evolving business ecosystem rather than a supply chain. It develops the 6C framework to analyze the data collected from case companies, and identifies three patterns of IoT-based business ecosystem. It also provides a summary of practical implications to guide practitioners building an IoT-based business ecosystem.

Business ecosystem research agenda: more dynamic, more embedded, and more internationalized

“…The concept of BE is also believed to be capable of better explaining multi-sided business competition (Boudreau and Lakhani 2009;Eisenmann et al 2006). Obviously, competition is no longer limited to being among individual firms, as firms are now relying on a network of business partners; thus, the competition is BE against BE (Gawer and Cusumano 2014;Liu and Rong 2015;Rong et al 2015a).…”

“…From this perspective, the key to the success of a BE is co-evolution among stakeholders and co-creation of value to customers (Adner 2006;Iansiti and Levien 2004b;Lu et al 2014). The concept of BE highlights the process of co-evolution of industrial systems and their dynamic environment, which is full of uncertainties but also business opportunities (Breslin 2011;Moore 2006;Porter 2006;Rong et al 2015a;Zhang and Liang 2011).…”

“…In this context, developing ecosystem stakeholders and nurturing local partners is essential when starting a business in a foreign market, in particular in the Asian countries. For example, ARM, the leading semiconductor company, spent its first two years after entering China in 2001 nurturing ecosystem partners, before it got its first business deal (Rong et al 2015a). Based on this case, three steps related to nurturing BEs in foreign markets have been proposed: incubate complementary partners, identify leading partners, and integrate ecosystem partners (Rong et al 2015b).…”

A Study on the Innovation of Business Model in Manufacturing Enterprises under the Background of “Internet Plus”

“…At that time, it needs the care and support from the government policy. E-government is the product of government e-commerce policy [8]. Now, many policies have been carried out so as to integrate internet plus and manufacturing industry in china, such as the "Made in China 2025" plan.…”

Managing a Supply-Chain Based Two-Sided Market

“…This is so called a business ecosystem. The business ecosystem is an economic community, which composes of inter-dependent organizations, who co-evolve with each other and share the fate (Moore 1993, Adner and Kapoor 2010, Rong et al 2015. This concept highlights the in-direct partners might contribute to the ecosystem platform and create the future business opportunities.…”