Conceptualizing digital business models (DBM): Framing the interplay between digitalization and business models

Abstract

The literature on connectivity-enabled innovative business models (from here on ‘digital business models’, DBM) is rapidly growing, and the literature explores the connection of digitalization with business models, for instance, the way businesses create, deliver, and capture value by using digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). This study contributes to the field of Digital Business Models (DBM) by structuring the literature based on 101 studies drawn from top-tier academic journals (AJG3 and AJG4 journal quality levels). Based on our bibliometric analysis of the emerging literature, we identify four clusters of digital business model research: 1) digital business model innovation, 2) Internet of Things business models (IOT business models), 3) digital platform business models, and 4) digital servitization business models. Moreover, we position the 8 special issue articles in this landscape of digital business models. Finally, we propose some novel avenues for future research.