The Assets and Capabilities of Business Model in Software Business

In this study, we focus on the assets and capabilities of software companies from the perspectives of business models and value-creating networks. Prior to analyzing the key assets and capabilities in connection with diverse business models, we review the literature of related topics, including interorganizational exchange, strategic networks and capabilities. Then we present a classification scheme for distinguishing between different types of software business models. We classify software business models with two dimensions: the level of involvement in customer relationships and the level of homogeneity of offerings for multiple customers. In the empirical part of our research, we explore the key assets and capabilities, i.e. resources, in four different business model types. Finally, on the basis of our data, we identify acquisition and development of these resources either internally or externally through networks. Our aim is to study assets and capabilities in association with business models of software companies in order to understand the development of resources in specific business contexts.