Digital Business Model Innovation in Complex Environments: A Knowledge System Perspective

Digital technologies are reshaping how firms create, deliver, and capture value, prompting growing interest in digital business model innovation (DBMI). Despite increasing scholarly attention, the existing research remains fragmented and often assumes stable environments, limiting its applicability...

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Main Authors: Luyao Wang, Zhiqi Jiang, Guannan Qu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/379
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author Luyao Wang
Zhiqi Jiang
Guannan Qu
author_facet Luyao Wang
Zhiqi Jiang
Guannan Qu
author_sort Luyao Wang
collection DOAJ
description Digital technologies are reshaping how firms create, deliver, and capture value, prompting growing interest in digital business model innovation (DBMI). Despite increasing scholarly attention, the existing research remains fragmented and often assumes stable environments, limiting its applicability in today’s complex and dynamic contexts. To address this gap, this study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) to gather and critically synthesize the fragmented and evolving body of knowledge on DBMI. The review identifies key research perspectives, highlights their underlying assumptions, and reveals the limitations in addressing environmental and knowledge complexity. In response, the paper introduces the knowledge system perspective (KSP) as a novel lens that views DBMI as a knowledge-driven, adaptive process. This perspective advances the DBMI literature by integrating knowledge dynamics and contextual complexity, offering a more robust understanding of how firms navigate digital transformation. The study concludes by outlining future research opportunities and providing practical implications for managing DBMI in turbulent environments.
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spelling doaj-art-a11e98dde877417f9435e96af09ba1ab2025-08-20T03:12:07ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542025-05-0113537910.3390/systems13050379Digital Business Model Innovation in Complex Environments: A Knowledge System PerspectiveLuyao Wang0Zhiqi Jiang1Guannan Qu2School of Economics and Management, Communication University of China, Beijing 100024, ChinaSchool of Management, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, ChinaSchool of Management, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, ChinaDigital technologies are reshaping how firms create, deliver, and capture value, prompting growing interest in digital business model innovation (DBMI). Despite increasing scholarly attention, the existing research remains fragmented and often assumes stable environments, limiting its applicability in today’s complex and dynamic contexts. To address this gap, this study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) to gather and critically synthesize the fragmented and evolving body of knowledge on DBMI. The review identifies key research perspectives, highlights their underlying assumptions, and reveals the limitations in addressing environmental and knowledge complexity. In response, the paper introduces the knowledge system perspective (KSP) as a novel lens that views DBMI as a knowledge-driven, adaptive process. This perspective advances the DBMI literature by integrating knowledge dynamics and contextual complexity, offering a more robust understanding of how firms navigate digital transformation. The study concludes by outlining future research opportunities and providing practical implications for managing DBMI in turbulent environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/379business modelbusiness model innovationdigital business model innovationsystematic literature reviewknowledge system perspective
spellingShingle Luyao Wang
Zhiqi Jiang
Guannan Qu
Digital Business Model Innovation in Complex Environments: A Knowledge System Perspective
Systems
business model
business model innovation
digital business model innovation
systematic literature review
knowledge system perspective
title Digital Business Model Innovation in Complex Environments: A Knowledge System Perspective
title_full Digital Business Model Innovation in Complex Environments: A Knowledge System Perspective
title_fullStr Digital Business Model Innovation in Complex Environments: A Knowledge System Perspective
title_full_unstemmed Digital Business Model Innovation in Complex Environments: A Knowledge System Perspective
title_short Digital Business Model Innovation in Complex Environments: A Knowledge System Perspective
title_sort digital business model innovation in complex environments a knowledge system perspective
topic business model
business model innovation
digital business model innovation
systematic literature review
knowledge system perspective
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/379
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AT guannanqu digitalbusinessmodelinnovationincomplexenvironmentsaknowledgesystemperspective