Value creation through the evolution of business model themes

A conceptual framework is proposed to examine value creation through the evolution of business model themes. A critical assessment of the literature on business models, business model themes, and their evolution is presented. This assessment highlights the fact that business model themes are typically theorized as being static. Instead, the framework presented here characterizes business models and the business model themes of value creation as co-evolving within an evolving industry. The framework provides a set of propositions that specify how firms can create value by entering an industry, reacting to imitators, and co-evolving with product market strategies and with environmental factors. This study contributes to the literature on value creation through business model themes.