The Rise of Digital Business Models: An Analysis of the Knowledge Base

This conference paper explores the characteristics of publications related to the topic of digital business models (DBM). In this review science mapping techniques were applied to review 146 SCOPUS indexed articles and conference papers concerned with the implementation of DBM. Digitization and its rapid evolution are creating new products, changing customer demands and disrupting traditional markets. Hence, the focus of many companies up to date has been on the adoption of emergent technologies, such as internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence, big-data or cloud computing. Yet in order to stay competitive and to avoid disruption by a new market entrant a firm needs to adapt and even redesign its core business model in the context of the digital age. However, successfully implementing a digital business model remains one of today's most challenging tasks. The aim of this review is to reveal the size, growth trajectory and geographic distribution of the digital business model knowledge base. Moreover, the goal is to detect key journals, authors and publications, as well as to give an overview of the intellectual structure of the literature and possibly highlight actual trends in the domain of DBM. The review attested a modest-sized knowledge base concentrated in Western countries. Furthermore, four ‘schools of thoughts’ were identified and further explained. It is a first attempt of a bibliometric review in this field, and thus shall give guidance for future research and practical implications.