Andreas Nilsson

Introducing app stores into a packaged software ecosystem: a negotiated order perspective

This study addresses the emerging phenomena of app stores for packaged software such as enterprise resource planning ERP and customer relationship management CRM systems. Through employing the technology of app stores, ERP and CRM vendors have been reported as shifting from delivering software as a service SaaS to platform as a service PaaS. Through an in-depth case study of one ERP vendors app store initiative, the study identifies and discusses instances of negotiated order of the ecosystem. The results show that the introduction of an app store for ERP brings with it the threat of restructuring both the incumbent business model and the power relationships nested in the ecosystem, thus spurring intensified instances of negotiated order. This is discussed in terms of different arenas of conflict for negotiated order.

From Trash to Cash: A Case of Waste Management Business Model Formation

With increased urbanization and the need for environmental sustainability, the issue of efficient waste management is highlighted as one of the many current challenges. In light of this, new solutions for waste management involve moving away from grand-scale, centralized facilities towards more decentralized, smaller facilities supported by novel usage of information technology. It is also important to reduce waste and move the operations towards efficient and interesting services focusing on increased quantities that are re-used, recycled and upcycled. A key prerequisite for this type of solution lies in the creation and maintenance of sustainable business models. This paper explores the formation phase of one such business model for decentralized, local waste management facilities. Through an Action Design Research study conducted in 2013, the research team worked together with representatives from both the public and private sectors within a smart city initiative in Stockholm, Sweden. As the results show, the applied method resulted in a successful business model formation. The contribution of this paper lies in presenting a method for business model formation in a smart city context, along with recommendations related to how this method can be applied to solve the issue of waste management.

The ERP App Store: Diverging and Converging Stakeholder Interests in a PaaS Ecosystem

This study addresses stakeholder perceptions in Platform as a Service (PaaS) ecosystems. Inherent in the platform strategy is dependence between those stakeholders that own the platform and those supplying the added functionality. This is investigated through an in-depth case study of a one ERP Vendor’s implementation of a platform strategy. Through employing the technology of app stores, the vendor intends to shift from delivering software as a service (SaaS) to PaaS. The study identifies and discusses relational issues impacted by the new business model emerging from the platform strategy. The results show that the introduction of a platform strategy brings with it the threat of restructuring the business model and power relationships nested in the ecosystem. This is discussed from a platform governance perspective.