Aku Valtakoski

Diversity of Business Models in Software Industry

In this paper, we measure the business models of Finnish software firms using survey data. To do this, we first conceptualize the business model based on extant management research, and allows for effective operationalization of the concept. Using our conceptual framework of business model, and data from the Finnish software industry, we find a taxonomy of eight business models. Analyzing the characteristics and performance of the firms using these models, we find that there are significant differences between firms using different business models.

The Case for Software Business as a Research Discipline

Software industry has served as an important empirical setting for research in management. Subsequently, some scholars have proposed that software business constitutes or is poised to become its own research discipline or topic area. We argue that this is without solid grounding: First, there is a lack of evidence behind this claim, and some of the favoring arguments are simply fallacious. Second, there seems to be a misunderstanding of what constitutes a research discipline. Third, proponents of this thesis apparently ignore much of extant research in relevant disciplines and other research fields. In our view, the case for a software business discipline has been fueled by knowledge transfer problems between researchers primarily identifying with software business and mainstream management research. We conclude that software business does not constitute a discipline of its own and it is highly unlikely that this will ever happen.

Peer-to-Peer Service Quality in Virtual Communities

Virtual communities are an increasingly popular way to conduct business over the Internet. However, from the service provider’s point of view they pose special challenges. In particular, unless the provider itself engages in content or service provision, the service relies entirely on its members for provision of services. The members should thus be seen as resources for service provision. This type of networked service production system implies challenges in terms of service quality management and, subsequently, value creation for community members. This paper explores these issues by revisiting service marketing and service operations literature on service quality. Analysis of the literature indicates that firms facilitating virtual communities need to ensure the quality of their service by not only ensuring technical quality but also by nurturing the social aspects of the community that have an impact on the willingness of community members to provide service to each other.