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 the provision of high-quality data. In this context, the paper examines business models of business partner data providers. The paper explores as to how and why these business models differ. Based on a study of six cases, the paper identifies three different business model patterns. A resourcebased view is taken to explore the details of these patterns. Furthermore, the paper develops a set of propositions that help understand why the different business models evolved and how they may develop in the future. Finally, the paper discusses the ongoing market transformation process indicating a shift from traditional value chains toward value networks—a change which, if it is sustainable, would seriously threaten the business models of well-established data providers, such as Dun & Bradstreet, for example.