Can Kuhn’s conception of paradigm shift explain the digital transformation of business models?

• In this paper, we adopt Thomas Kuhn’s perspective of scientific progress, to discuss whether digitalization and specifically digital transformation of business models represents a shift to a new paradigm. We argue that digital operations and artefacts manifest some inherent characteristics, that significantly differ from traditional business models. Whereas the latter logics operates according to the conventional economic rules, the digital realm function according to the economics of digital information that involves some inherent unique features such as the importance of network effects, negligible marginal costs, different pricing mechanisms, reduction of transaction costs and different revenue models. These features make digital information products difficult to translate and address in economic terms. Thus, a new set of assumptions is required, because the production, distribution and consumption of digital information products encompasses a distinct inherent logic.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Information Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Business models

Kuhn

paradigm shift

digital materiality

dominant logic.

Information Systems

Informatik

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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