Books and journals Case studies Expert Briefings Open Access
Advanced search

Business model innovation processes in large corporations: insights from BASF

Stephan Winterhalter (Institute of Technology Management, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland)
Tobias Weiblen (Fernfachhochschule Schweiz, Zürich, Switzerland)
Christoph H. Wecht (BGW Management Advisory Group, St. Gallen, Switzerland and Competence Center for Open Innovation, Institute of Technology Management, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland)
Oliver Gassmann (University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland)

Journal of Business Strategy

ISSN: 0275-6668

Publication date: 18 April 2017

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the fact that business model innovation (BMI) has attracted intense attention from scholars and practitioners alike, practicable knowledge on the organizational implementation of BMI efforts in large multinational corporations is rather rare. This paper aims to investigate how BMI is managed in the complex environment of the chemical industry based on a study at BASF SE, a leading global chemical company.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data draw from six case studies (i.e. six BMI projects) within BASF which were observed in the 2010-2014 timeframe.

Findings

There is not one uniform BMI process archetype. Three different types can be identified, whereby the degree of technology involvement and the maturity of this technology act as determining factors for the form of the process and its organizational implementation.

Originality/value

This paper profits from its unique empirical setting, which allows identifying practices for the organizational implementation of systematic BMI processes in large corporations. The guidelines derived are highly relevant for general managers and business development departments.

Keywords

  • Technology
  • Business model innovation
  • Chemical industry
  • Innovation processes
  • Business model implementation
  • Fuzzy front-end
  • Large firms

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr Petra Bachem and Andres Jaffé for the opportunity to investigate BMI processes at BASF SE and Michael–Georg Schmidt and Christian Huber for their valuable insights into the fascinating world of the chemical industry.

Citation

Winterhalter, S., Weiblen, T., Wecht, C.H. and Gassmann, O. (2017), "Business model innovation processes in large corporations: insights from BASF", Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. 38 No. 2, pp. 62-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/JBS-10-2016-0116

Download as .RIS

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

Please note you do not have access to teaching notes

You may be able to access teaching notes by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team.
Contact us

To read the full version of this content please select one of the options below

You may be able to access this content by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
To rent this content from Deepdyve, please click the button.
Rent from Deepdyve
If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team.
Contact us
Emerald Publishing
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
© 2021 Emerald Publishing Limited

Services

  • Authors Opens in new window
  • Editors Opens in new window
  • Librarians Opens in new window
  • Researchers Opens in new window
  • Reviewers Opens in new window

About

  • About Emerald Opens in new window
  • Working for Emerald Opens in new window
  • Contact us Opens in new window
  • Publication sitemap

Policies and information

  • Privacy notice
  • Site policies
  • Modern Slavery Act Opens in new window
  • Chair of Trustees governance statement Opens in new window
  • COVID-19 policy Opens in new window
Manage cookies

We’re listening — tell us what you think

  • Something didn’t work…

    Report bugs here

  • All feedback is valuable

    Please share your general feedback

  • Member of Emerald Engage?

    You can join in the discussion by joining the community or logging in here.
    You can also find out more about Emerald Engage.

Join us on our journey

  • Platform update page

    Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates

  • Questions & More Information

    Answers to the most commonly asked questions here