Note on Debate over Relationship Between Business Model and Strategy

Note on Debate over Relationship Between Business Model and Strategy

Purpose – This short paper reviews the debate dealing with the relationship between strategy and traditional strategy approach on the one hand, and business models and new business model approach on the other hand and tries to offer useful direction to be more helpful to theoretical discussions. Research design, data, and methodology – This paper makes a theoretical analysis to explain the confusion surrounding the debate, reviewing mainly literature survey papers and finds theoretical conjecture and its limitations in order to present useful direction to the future theoretical work. Result – In order to comprise its diversity, business model studies should consider the characteristics of each firm, sector, and market. Adding further elements which are related to each sector or market, theoretical studies can capture the diverse phenomena related to business model and business model innovation. Conclusion – The traditional strategy perspective can be utilized to the Business model phenomenon in the case of incumbent firms and non-digital sector and existing markets. Meanwhile the new business model perspective can be utilized to business model phenomena in case of start-ups and digital sector and emerging markets. Reconciling two perspectives, the studies dealing with the business model should focus on the characteristics of firms, markets, and knowledge from the perspective of business model innovation.