Stephan Winterhalter

Business model innovation processes in large corporations: insights from BASF

Purpose Despite the fact that business model innovation (BMI) has attracted intense attention from scholars and practitioners alike, practicable knowledge on the organizational implementation of BMI efforts in large multinational corporations is rather rare. This paper aims to investigate how BMI is managed in the complex environment of the chemical industry based on a study at BASF SE, a leading global chemical company. Design/methodology/approach The empirical data draw from six case studies (i.e. six BMI projects) within BASF which were observed in the 2010-2014 timeframe. Findings There is not one uniform BMI process archetype. Three different types can be identified, whereby the degree of technology involvement and the maturity of this technology act as determining factors for the form of the process and its organizational implementation. Originality/value This paper profits from its unique empirical setting, which allows identifying practices for the organizational implementation of systematic BMI processes in large corporations. The guidelines derived are highly relevant for general managers and business development departments.

Strategisches Technologiemanagement für die Industrie 4.0

Wertschopfungsketten werden zunehmend realtime uber mehrere Stufen vernetzt. Produkte selbst beginnen intelligenter und vernetzter zu werden. Die Digitalisierung ermoglicht neue Geschaftsmodelle und erlaubt es informationsbasierten Wettbewerbern, in fremde Branchen vorzudringen. In B2B-Industrien wird im Rahmen von ‚Industrie 4.0‘ die nachste industrielle Revolution durch die Digitalisierung eingeleitet. Im Umfeld dieser steigenden Komplexitat und Geschwindigkeit der Geschaftstatigkeit wird es immer wichtiger, dass Unternehmen eine klare Innovationsstrategie definieren und sich zielgerichtet weiterentwickeln. In diesem Artikel beschreiben wir den Entwicklungsprozess fur Innovationsstrategien und gehen dabei im Speziellen auf Herausforderungen im Kontext der Industrie 4.0 ein.

Archetypes and Basic Strategies of Technology Decisions

OVERVIEW: Technology decisions are of central importance to firms focused on innovation. Research has provided support for a wide variety of approaches to technology decision making. This proliferation of approaches, however, means managers face the challenge of choosing the right approach for a given decision. Through case studies and workshops with a wide range of firms, we have developed a tool to assist managers in selecting appropriate approaches for the specific technology decision at hand.