Fostering business model extensions for ICT-enabled human-centered service systems

When improving human-centered service systems (HCSSs) with information and communications technology (ICT), financial aspects are important but challenging for companies with established business models (BMs). The use of ICT and changes in value creation reflect business needs, but commercial success requires modifications and extensions of the BMs. However, prevailing approaches do not take account of these requirements. In this paper, we present a BM design process that fosters the extension of BMs for ICT-enabled HCSSs to support service innovations. Using an action research project in the field of volunteering, we iterated and revised the BM design process in a project collaboration with three end-user companies having similar objectives. The process guides those responsible for service innovation in structuring, analyzing, and the decision-making of alternative BM extensions. Thus, the presented approach contributes to ICT-related service innovation projects by describing systematic and repeatable activities that are the first step for commercial success.