The development of business model research : a bibliometric review

Budler, Marko (author), Župič, Ivan (author), Trkman, Peter (author)

Recent reviews demonstrate the usefulness of the business model concept as a level of analysis in management, whereas less attention has been devoted to the analysis of the paths of past research to guide its future devel-opment. We used bibliometric methods, specifically bibliographic coupling and algorithmic historigraphy, to trace the development of the business model literature from its origins in e-business to its current state. In addition to reviewing the literature as a whole, our study investigated the time-dependent co-evolution of research sub-streams. We examined the relative influence of publications and canonical papers (algorithmic historiography) within and between three separate time spans (bibliographic coupling). We found that business model foundations draw from three major business sub-disciplines' strategy, entrepreneurship, and innovation—whilst new frontiers (e.g., Industry 4.0, sustainability, and networks) offer an opportunity to increase the inter-connectedness of business model research. Finally, we discuss contemporary topics and future avenues for business model researchRecent reviews demonstrate the usefulness of the business model concept as a level of analysis in management, whereas less attention has been devoted to the analysis of the paths of past research to guide its future devel-opment. We used bibliometric methods, specifically bibliographic coupling and algorithmic historigraphy, to trace the development of the business model literature from its origins in e-business to its current state. In addition to reviewing the literature as a whole, our study investigated the time-dependent co-evolution of research sub-streams. We examined the relative influence of publications and canonical papers (algorithmic historiography) within and between three separate time spans (bibliographic coupling). We found that business model foundations draw from three major business sub-disciplines—strategy, entrepreneurship, and innovation—whilst new frontiers (e.g., Industry 4.0, sustainability, and networks) offer an opportunity to increase the inter-connectedness of business model research. Finally, we discuss contemporary topics and future avenues for business model research.

• Language: English
• Keywords: business model, strategy, bibliographies, review, bibliometrics, bibliographic coupling, historiography
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: EF - School of Economics and Business
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Author Accepted Manuscript
• Year: 2021
• Number of pages: Str. 480-495
• Numbering: Vol. 135
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-128835
• UDC: 303:339.9
• ISSN on article: 0148-2963
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.06.045
• COBISS.SI-ID: 69343747
• Publication date in RUL: 06.08.2021

BUDLER, Marko, ŽUPIČ, Ivan and TRKMAN, Peter, 2021, The development of business model research : a bibliometric review. Journal of business research [online]. 2021. Vol. 135, p. 480–495. [Accessed 17 May 2025]. DOI 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.06.045. Retrieved from: https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/IzpisGradiva.php?lang=eng&id=128835

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Journal of business research
• Shortened title: J. bus. res.
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0148-2963
• COBISS.SI-ID: 25694208

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
• Description: The most restrictive Creative Commons license. This only allows people to download and share the work for no commercial gain and for no other purposes.
• Licensing start date: 06.07.2021

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: poslovni modeli, strategija, bibliografije

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Funding programme: Raziskovalni projekt - temeljni
• Project number: J5-9329
• Name: Poslovna analitika in poslovni modeli v oskrbovalnih verigah

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Funding programme: Mladi raziskovalci