Analysis and development of a strategic business model framework for digital multi-sided platforms in small and medium-sized enterprises

Abstract

The objective of the present paper is to analyse key issues that come along with the strategic implementation of MSPs as business model innovation for SMEs, and to deduce a guiding framework that captures the essence of MSPs in the SME context. Hence, the framework is intended to address processes and challenges occurring when SMEs extent or modify their business model with the implementation of a MSP. As the existing literature mainly deals with large and dominating MSPs, a rather new field will be elaborated focusing on SMEs that change their established business model. The smaller size and limited business scope of SMEs rises different challenges. Moreover, it includes not only the establishment of Business-to-Customer (B2C) structures, but also the introduction of smaller Business-to-Business (B2B) platforms. Thus, the main contribution of the present paper is the novelty of the linkage be-tween MSPs and SMEs, that is still marginally considered in the existing literature.