What is stopping Norwegian firms from innovating their business models? : towards a business model perspective on innovation

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the diverging concept on business model innovation and understand why Norwegian firms fail to innovate their business models. In doing so, the differences and relationship between BMI and service innovation, process innovation, and product innovation is developed into a conceptual representation of a business model perspective towards innovation. Based on the survey data from 284 firms across industries in Norway and interviews from 11 interviewees, the author analyzes the barriers and challenges associated with attempting business model innovation, grouping them at an individual, firm and industry level. Ultimately, this contributes a conceptualization of a business model perspective towards innovation for managing firm activities. Moreover, this thesis finds that because service innovation, process innovation, and product innovation are located within the business model itself, business model innovation faces additional barriers.