A Network-based Tool for Identifying Knowledge Risks in Data-Driven Business Models

Abstract

Data-driven technologies enable organizations to innovate new services and business models and thus hold the potential for new sources of revenue and business growth. However, such new data-driven business models impose new ways for unwanted knowledge spillovers. Current research on data-driven business models and knowledge risks provides little help to identify and discuss such novel risks within the innovation process. We have developed a network-based representation of data-driven business models within one case organization, where it helped to identify knowledge risks in the design process of data-driven business models. In this paper, we further evaluated the artifact through 17 interviews with experts from the domain of business models, data analytics and knowledge management. We found that the network-based representation is suitable to visualize, discuss and create awareness for knowledge risks and see types of data-related value objects and quantification of risks as two recommendations for further research.