Data-Based Business Model Innovation and Data Ecosystems: A Case of a Commercial Electric Vehicle Ecosystem

Data-based ecosystems have gained increasing attention from industry, regulatory bodies, and academia. Organizations are gathering vast amounts of data, but the question of how to obtain value from the data persists as data only has limited value, and the knowledge and insights extracted from data suggest a larger opportunity. Industries are increasingly leveraging data not only to improve operational efficiency but also to unlock new business opportunities. In academia, research on data ecosystems and business model innovation (BMI) in data-based businesses is expanding. However, existing research has yet to sufficiently explain how theoretical perspectives can explain the value propositions of emerging data-based business models. This study explores emerging data-based business opportunities in the electric commercial (ECV) ecosystem. Drawing on the business model innovation literature, the authors develop a conceptual framework to categorize the impact of data for the value creation of data-based business models. Using a single-case study design of ECV ecosystem, this paper analyses how various ecosystem actors are engaging in data-based business model innovation. The contribution of this manuscript advances strategic management scholarship in the context of the data economy by unpacking the dimensions of value creation in data-based business models. From a practical perspective, the findings provide actionable insights for organizations seeking to identify and implement new data-based business opportunities in ecosystems.