Value analysis of technology evolution: Case mobile peer-to-peer communications

Abstract

We developed a value analysis framework based on existing literature. We used our framework to analyze novel mobile peer-to-peer communications technologies on three distinct evolution paths. According to our analysis, the telecom-driven evolution path concentrates on preserving established business models of current telecom operators; the Internet-driven and proprietary paths initiate competing business models where the service operator partially replaces the service provision value generation mode of the network operator. The value networks of the proprietary and the telecom-driven paths are centralized on one actor, whereas the value network of the Internet-driven path is more balanced and establishes value generation opportunities for more actors.