Exploring the Factors Influencing Business Model Innovation Using Grounded Theory: The Case of a Chinese High-End Equipment Manufacturer

Qingfeng Tian, Shuo Zhang, Huimin Yu and Guangming Cao
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Qingfeng Tian: School of Management, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
Shuo Zhang: School of Management, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
Huimin Yu: School of Management, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
Guangming Cao: Department of Strategy and Management, University of Bedfordshire Business School, Luton LU1 3JU, UK

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: Business model innovation is vitally important for firms to gain competitive advantages and improve their performance. While it has attracted much attention recently, considerable work is still needed to properly understand business model innovation. This study aims to examine the factors influencing business model innovation through a case study of Shaanxi Blower, a high-end equipment manufacturer in China. Using grounded theory in terms of open coding, axial coding and selective coding, this case study found seven main factors that influenced business model innovation, namely, market pressure, government policy, entrepreneurship, culture and strategy, technology, human resources, and organizational capabilities. Market pressure, government policy and information technology are external factors, whereas, entrepreneurship and technological innovation are internal factors. Culture and strategy, human resources, and organizational capabilities are the guarantee factors. This study’s findings add to the growing literature by developing a more holistic understanding of the factors that influence business model innovation in the Chinese context, which indicates a possibility for Chinese high-end equipment manufacturers to improve their competitiveness and performance through better management of their business model innovation.

Keywords: grounded theory; business model innovation; high-end equipment manufacturing; influencing factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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