An Approach to Model Industry Ecosystems

Abstract

Service platforms require a transparent and if possible systematic overview of the industry they are placed in. Currently, no modelling method for specifying industry ecosystems is available. However, the paper describes the specifics of a developed industry ecosystem modelling method. It consists of an actor-relation layer, to illustrate the type of connectivity between the actors, a data-relation layer, to demonstrate the kind of data exchanged, and a service based data-relation layer, to demonstrate an industry ecosystem supported by service platforms. By means of the proposed modelling method, an introduction of a service platform within an industry is facilitated. The qualitative approach for this paper includes a review of relevant secondary literature to point out the basic structure and similarities of current modelling methods and thus the gap in research.