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The business model as a generative replicator

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2021

Olivier Brette Open the ORCID record for Olivier Brette [Opens in a new window]  and
Virgile Chassagnon
Olivier Brette
Affiliation:
University of Lyon, INSA Lyon, CNRS Research Unit TRIANGLE, UMR 5206, F-69100Villeurbanne, France
Virgile Chassagnon*
Affiliation:
University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble INP*, CREG, 38000Grenoble, France CNRS Research Unit TRIANGLE, UMR, 5206Lyon, France
*
*Corresponding author. Email: virgile.chassagnon@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr
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Abstract

This paper proposes a new conceptualization of business model (BM) that rigorously exploits the important insights this notion offers and links them to related views developed in economics and business studies. We develop the foundations of a BM concept consistent with the principles of generalized Darwinism (GD) and with contributions already developed within this framework. Thus, we demonstrate the relevance of GD as a unifying framework for developing the evolutionary theory of firm and industry. We suggest analysing BM as a generative replicator hosted by the firm, which structures interactions between the members of this organization and the social entities of its industrial environment. We argue that GD allows us to clarify the nature and boundaries of the BM concept and to specify its relationships to other key evolutionary concepts, such as organizational routines.

Keywords

Business modelevolutionary economicsfirmgeneralized Darwinismindustryreplicatorroutine

JEL classification

D20: General L20: General D83: Search • Learning • Information and Knowledge • Communication • Belief • Unawareness L14: Transactional Relationships • Contracts and Reputation • Networks B52: Historical • Institutional • Evolutionary
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Institutional Economics , Volume 17 , Issue 5 , October 2021 , pp. 746 - 763
Copyright
Copyright © Millennium Economics Ltd 2021

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