ANALYZING AND COMPARING BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION AMONG THE CATEGORIES OF SMES IN AALBORG DENMARK
Authors
EDMOND, TANYI NUYEBGA ; Tchio Ngoufack, Kevin Harley
Term
4. term
Publication year
2018
Abstract
This thesis examines how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Aalborg, Denmark renew their business models and compares practices across micro and small firms. Motivated by a complex, competitive environment and a literature base that often overlooks differences between SME categories, the study integrates multiple business model innovation themes to explore what drives change, which business model components are altered, what barriers arise, and how the innovation process unfolds. Methodologically, it employs a qualitative case study with purposive sampling of five Aalborg firms (three micro SMEs and two small SMEs), using semi-structured interviews for data collection. The findings indicate that Aalborg SMEs do engage in business model innovation, with key resources being the most frequently modified component. Antecedents are both internal and external, while organizational barriers pose the greatest obstacles. Firms generally do not follow a well-defined process for business model innovation. Comparing categories, micro and small SMEs show similar levels of radicality and reach, but micro firms exhibit greater complexity in their innovation approaches.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan små og mellemstore virksomheder (SMV’er) i Aalborg, Danmark arbejder med fornyelse af deres forretningsmodeller, og sammenligner praksisser på tværs af mikro- og små virksomheder. Med udgangspunkt i et komplekst og konkurrencepræget erhvervsmiljø samt et forskningsfelt, der ofte overser forskelle mellem SMV-kategorier, kombinerer studiet flere temaer inden for forretningsmodelinnovation for at belyse, hvad der driver ændringer, hvilke dele af forretningsmodellen der ændres, hvilke barrierer der opstår, og hvordan processerne forløber. Metodisk anvendes et kvalitativt casestudie med formålsbestemt udvælgelse af fem virksomheder i Aalborg (tre mikro-SMV’er og to små SMV’er), og data indsamles gennem semistrukturerede interviews. Resultaterne viser, at SMV’er i Aalborg faktisk innoverer deres forretningsmodeller, hvor nøgleaktiver/ressourcer er den mest ændrede komponent. Drivkræfterne for innovation er både interne og eksterne, mens organisatoriske barrierer i særlig grad hæmmer arbejdet. Virksomhederne følger typisk ikke en klart defineret proces for forretningsmodelinnovation. Sammenligningen mellem mikro- og små SMV’er peger på samme niveau af radikalitet og rækkevidde i innovationen, men med større kompleksitet i mikrovirksomhedernes tilgange.
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