No content provider is an Island: The changing role of technology providers in value networks

The convergence of digital technology and the emergence of Web 2.0 have radically changed the nature of the digital content sector. This paper, building on a theoretical base of Evolutionary Diffusion Theory and business model analysis, initially summarises and updates the findings from the EC 5th Framework SimWeb project. It then argues the position that 21st-century technology providers are increasingly playing the major role in the content delivery market space - especially in the music industry - to create and ensure long term interoperability between the different stakeholders in the digital content value network.