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An Ecosystem‐Level Process Model of Business Model Disruption: The Disruptor's Gambit

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  • Yuliya Snihur
  • Llewellyn D. W. Thomas
  • Robert A. Burgelman

Abstract

Based on a longitudinal case study, this paper presents an ecosystem‐level process model of the interlocking key activities of the business model disruptor, other ecosystem participants (customers, partners, media, analysts), and the incumbent. Together these constitute a strategic process of ecosystem evolution from incumbent‐centred to disruptor‐centred. We identify the phenomenon of a ‘disruptor's gambit’, where the disruptor reveals its intentions early on through effective framing, followed by rapid adaptation of its business model to satisfy ecosystem needs. These processes generate a virtuous framing‐adaptation cycle, where feed‐forward and feedback enable rapid response to customers and partners, while engaging them as force multipliers during new ecosystem creation. Our findings suggest that framing constitutes a dynamic strategic process enabling disruptors to reduce uncertainty, dislodge powerful incumbents, and shape new ecosystems through business model innovation.

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  • Yuliya Snihur & Llewellyn D. W. Thomas & Robert A. Burgelman, 2018. "An Ecosystem‐Level Process Model of Business Model Disruption: The Disruptor's Gambit," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(7), pages 1278-1316, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:55:y:2018:i:7:p:1278-1316
    DOI: 10.1111/joms.12343
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    Cited by:

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    3. Yuliya Snihur & Llewellyn D. W. Thomas & Raghu Garud & Nelson Phillips, 2022. "Entrepreneurial Framing: A Literature Review and Future Research Directions," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 46(3), pages 578-606, May.
    4. Uzunca, Bilgehan & Sharapov, Dmitry & Tee, Richard, 2022. "Governance rigidity, industry evolution, and value capture in platform ecosystems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(7).
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    7. Han, Jin & Zhou, Haibo & Löwik, Sandor & de Weerd-Nederhof, Petra, 2022. "Building and sustaining emerging ecosystems through new focal ventures: Evidence from China's bike-sharing industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    8. Yan Chen & Zijin Wang & Jaime Ortiz, 2023. "A Sustainable Digital Ecosystem: Digital Servitization Transformation and Digital Infrastructure Support," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, January.
    9. Saeed Khanagha & Shahzad (Shaz) Ansari & Sotirios Paroutis & Luciano Oviedo, 2022. "Mutualism and the dynamics of new platform creation: A study of Cisco and fog computing," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(3), pages 476-506, March.
    10. Sandip Mukhopadhyay & Jason Whalley, 2022. "The emergence and evolution of a disruptive platform ecosystem: evidence from the Indian mobile services industry," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(2), pages 669-686, June.
    11. Somendra Narayan & Jatinder S. Sidhu & Henk W. Volberda, 2021. "From Attention to Action: The Influence of Cognitive and Ideological Diversity in Top Management Teams on Business Model Innovation," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(8), pages 2082-2110, December.
    12. Jianmin Song & Senmao Xia & Demetris Vrontis & Arun Sukumar & Bing Liao & Qi Li & Kun Tian & Nengzhi Yao, 2022. "The Source of SMEs’ Competitive Performance in COVID-19: Matching Big Data Analytics Capability to Business Models," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1167-1187, August.
    13. Hou, Hong & Shi, Yongjiang, 2021. "Ecosystem-as-structure and ecosystem-as-coevolution: A constructive examination," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    14. Olabode, Oluwaseun E. & Boso, Nathaniel & Hultman, Magnus & Leonidou, Constantinos N., 2022. "Big data analytics capability and market performance: The roles of disruptive business models and competitive intensity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1218-1230.
    15. Thomson, Linus & Sjödin, David & Parida, Vinit & Jovanovic, Marin, 2023. "Conceptualizing business model piloting: An experiential learning process for autonomous solutions," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    16. Shengyuan Wang, 2022. "Exploring the Sustainability of China’s New Energy Vehicle Development: Fresh Evidence from Population Symbiosis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-21, August.
    17. Lijie Feng & Guo Qin & Jinfeng Wang & Ke Zhang, 2022. "Disruptive Innovation Path of Start-Ups in the Digital Context: The Perspective of Dynamic Capabilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, October.
    18. Beltagui, Ahmad & Rosli, Ainurul & Candi, Marina, 2020. "Exaptation in a digital innovation ecosystem: The disruptive impacts of 3D printing," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(1).
    19. Thomas, Llewellyn D.W. & Autio, Erkko & Gann, David M., 2022. "Processes of ecosystem emergence," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    20. Phillips, Mark A. & Ritala, Paavo, 2019. "A complex adaptive systems agenda for ecosystem research methodology," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    21. Tommaso Minola & Nadine Kammerlander & Franz W. Kellermanns & Frank Hoy, 2021. "Corporate Entrepreneurship and Family Business: Learning Across Domains," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(1), pages 1-26, January.
    22. Sean T. Hsu & Susan K. Cohen, 2022. "Overcoming the Incumbent Dilemma: The Dual Roles of Multimarket Contact During Disruption," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(2), pages 319-348, March.
    23. von Delft, Stephan & Zhao, Yang, 2021. "Business models in process industries: Emerging trends and future research," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    24. Palmié, Maximilian & Wincent, Joakim & Parida, Vinit & Caglar, Umur, 2020. "The evolution of the financial technology ecosystem: An introduction and agenda for future research on disruptive innovations in ecosystems," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    25. Petzold, Neele & Schmidt, Alexander Lennart & Scaringella, Laurent, 2023. "How to overcome the disruptor's dilemma: Exploring strategic alliance reconfiguration of new market entrants," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).

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