Business Models in the Data Economy: A Case Study from the Business Partner Data Domain

Data management seems to experience a renaissance today. One particular trend in the so-called data economy has been the emergence of business models based on high-quality data. In this context, the paper examines the business partner data domain. Business partner data comprises unique identifiers, unambiguous names, or subsidiary information of business partners. The paper explores as to how and why business models of business partner data providers differ. Based on a study of six cases, the paper identifies three different business model patterns. A resource based view is used to explore the details of these patterns. Furthermore, the paper develops a set of propositions with regard to the establishment and evolution of certain business models. Furthermore, the paper discusses a market transformation from a traditional value chain toward a value network paradigm-a change which would seriously threaten the business models of established data providers such as Dun Bradstreet.