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  • Digital platform-based ecosystems: the evolution of collaboration and competition between incumbent producers and entrant platforms
    Publication . Cozzolino, Alessio; Corbo, Leonardo; Aversa, Paolo
    The rise of the Internet has seen traditional incumbent producers challenged by competition from digital entrant platforms. It is unclear, however, how those two types of actors—which are in competition but also mutually dependent—can co-exist in the new platform-based ecosystem. This paper sheds light on that pivotal phenomenon by connecting the traditional literature on incumbent adaptation with the growing conversation on digital platform-based ecosystems. Through a qualitative longitudinal (2005–2019) study of the global digital advertising ecosystem, we examine how incumbent producers pivot between competitive and cooperative strategies in response to digital entrant platforms. Our analysis reveals a process characterized by three sequential phases: (1) selective cooperation, (2) allied competition, and (3) selective coopetition. Those phases show how switching between different multi-level strategies spanning market segments, products, and technological components represents a viable solution for incumbent producers adapting in the face of entrant platforms.
  • Business model adaptation in response to an exogenous shock: an empirical analysis of the Portuguese footwear industry
    Publication . Corbo, Leonardo; Pirolo, Luca; Rodrigues, Vasco
    Business models have received increasing attention in both academic and managerial communities. However, little attention has been paid to how business models change in response to extreme events. This topic is of critical importance since failure to achieve adaptation in a timely manner can lead to negative consequences such as a significant decrease in firm value or bankruptcy. This study explores how the business model paradigm of the Portuguese footwear industry changed following China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001. The empirical results suggest that the shock acted as a trigger for change for the Portuguese footwear firms which reflected in the adoption of a new business model characterized by speed and flexibility in the manufacturing process, faster response to customer needs and, in specific cases, in downward integration through the creation of own brands selling directly to final consumers. This result, however, was not the outcome of a sudden change but rather the consequence of a planned adaptation strategy led by a key industry actor that acted as a network orchestrator coordinating the actions of the Portuguese footwear firms. The implications of these findings as well as directions for future research are discussed in the last part of this study.
  • Fintech and SMEs sustainable business models: reflections and considerations for a circular economy
    Publication . Pizzi, Simone; Corbo, Leonardo; Caputo, Andrea
    Following the operational paradigms proposed by Industry 4.0, the last years have been characterized by the rapid growth of technology-based firms increasingly adopting sustainable business models. In particular, an increasing number of Fintech enterprises have started to launch new services in order to avoid the organizational barriers that impact negatively on the voluntary adoption of sustainable business models by SMEs. However, research is still scarce in systematizing the efforts and identifying the facilitating factors for such a transition. Drawing on a diverse set of companies, case studies linking Fintech application and circular economy (CE) in diverse industries and contexts are analyzed and discussed. The findings of the qualitative analysis suggest that Fintech, an example of sectors developed under the influence of Industry 4.0, can play a relevant role in the transition of SMEs toward a more sustainable business model leading to better integration of circular economy practices. A conceptual framework using the ReSOLVE model is then presented with relevant implications for both research and practice.
  • Translational mechanisms in business model design: introducing the continuous validation framework
    Publication . Corbo, Leonardo; Mahassel, Shadi; Ferraris, Alberto
    Purpose – This paper aims at proposing knowledge translation as an element of business model design that can support entrepreneurs in achieving alignment and collaboration between entrepreneurial teams and external stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual model presented in the paper is developed from the literature review and draws mainly on two streams of work as follows: first, the contributions related to the lean start-up methodology initially developed by Blank and Ries and second, the work of Osterwalder and Pigneur on business models and its subsequent developments. In addition, we draw on key insights from the entrepreneurship and organizational learning literature, such as discovery-driven planning and disciplined entrepreneurship. Findings – The continuous validation framework (CVF) is introduced, posing the attention on underlining knowledge-translation mechanisms to decode complex concepts related to new venture creation. Originality/value – The authors propose a new framework (the CVF) as an effective translational tool because it is a visual diagram that allows entrepreneurs to translate complex and technical ideas into a format that is more understandable for external audiences. Additionally, for each step of the CVF, specific translational mechanisms are defined and discussed, as each stage of the CVF presents specific translational challenges that result in outcomes that differ from stage to stage.
  • Emergence and evolution of an entrepreneurial ecosystem: the case of Porto
    Publication . Corbo, Leonardo; Almeida, João
    Current work on entrepreneurial ecosystems is still underdeveloped, focusing prevalently on successful case studies such as Silicon Valley and less on peripheral areas where entrepreneurship is a nascent but growing phenomenon. In this paper, we examine the emergence and evolution of the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Porto, a city located in the north of Portugal, which has historically been an industrial hub but has witnessed a proliferation of start-ups in recent years. We find that for an entrepreneurial ecosystem to emerge it is of critical importance that one or more players assume the role of entrepreneurial hubs, even if in the initial stage interaction between these actors is limited. However, for an entrepreneurial ecosystem to grow additional factors are necessary including a wide range of experienced investors and a strong level of interaction within the ecosystem. We discuss the implications of our findings for research on entrepreneurial ecosystems and outline a possible avenue for future inquiry.
  • The evolving role of artificial intelligence in marketing: a review and research agenda
    Publication . Vlačić, Božidar; Corbo, Leonardo; Silva, Susana Costa e; Dabić, Marina
    An increasing amount of research on Intelligent Systems/Artificial Intelligence (AI) in marketing has shown that AI is capable of mimicking humans and performing activities in an ‘intelligent’ manner. Considering the growing interest in AI among marketing researchers and practitioners, this review seeks to provide an overview of the trajectory of marketing and AI research fields. Building upon the review of 164 articles published in Web of Science and Scopus indexed journals, this article develops a context-specific research agenda. Our study of selected articles by means of Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) procedure outlines several research avenues related to the adoption, use, and acceptance of AI technology in marketing, the role of data protection and ethics, the role of institutional support for marketing AI, as well as the revolution of the labor market and marketers’ competencies.
  • A new order of things: network mechanisms of field evolution in the aftermath of an exogenous shock
    Publication . Corbo, Leonardo; Corrado, Raffaele; Ferriani, Simone
    This study examines the role of a major environmental shock in triggering change in the social structure of an organizational field. Based on the longitudinal analysis of changing network configurations in the global airline industry, we explore how logics of attachment shift before, during and after an exogenous shock and how the rewiring of network ties in response to the shock may act as a countervailing force to the network dynamics that drive field stratification. Using the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 as a natural experiment, our work reveals how shocks may affect key mechanisms of network evolution thus altering tie distribution and access among members of the field. Overall this article contributes to emergent literature on field dynamics by exposing the evolution of interorganizational dynamics when external events produce unsettled times that render extant logics brittle and open prospects for change.
  • Marketing accountability and marketing automation: evidence from Portugal
    Publication . Silva, Susana C.; Corbo, Leonardo; Vlačić, Božidar; Fernandes, Mariana
    Purpose: The present study seeks to outline the role of marketing automation (MA) in measuring the return on marketing activities and the challenges associated with reaching accountability in marketing. Design/methodology/approach: To investigate the objective of the study, the authors adopted a qualitative approach, conducting an exploratory study among ten key informants located in Portugal. Findings: Based on the results of the qualitative analysis, a conceptual framework is proposed, which includes both strategic- and operational-level factors with the goal of creating a value-based agenda. In this agenda, executives such as the Chief Marketing Officer emerge as value creators, fostering business scalability, and further arguments are provided to justify budget allocation to MA activities. Originality/value: Through careful research of the elements that characterize the phenomenon under study, the present paper ultimately contributes to a better understanding of MA and accountability within the current business paradigm.
  • Joint impact of airline market structure and airport ownership on airport market power and profit margin
    Publication . Choo, Yap Yin; Corbo, Leonardo; Wang, Kun
    This paper investigates the joint impacts of downstream airline market structure, airport ownership structure, concession services, and low-cost carrier (LCC) presence on airport market power and profit margin. Lerner indexes for a sample of 61 major airports around the world were calculated for the period 2008–2014. Then, regression analysis was conducted to identify the determinants of the airport Lerner index. We find that a more concentrated downstream airline market would reduce the profit margin for a public airport but increase the profit margin for a private airport. A higher share of concession service is found to decrease the airport's overall profit margin (accounting for both aeronautical and concession services). Airports with significant LCC presence have a lower profit margin. Finally, the concentration in airline market is found to have a larger negative impact on airport aeronautical price than on the concession price.
  • In search of business model configurations that work: lessons from the hybridization of Air Berlin and JetBlue
    Publication . Corbo, Leonardo
    This paper examines the rise of a distinct alternative to the traditional business model dichotomy between low-cost and full-service carriers (i.e. the hybrid business model) and questions its viability as an alternative for growth and profitability. Using a comparative assessment of business model innovation practices of two well-reputed carriers, Air Berlin and JetBlue, the paper highlights the importance of taking into account several components of a business model when deciding to experiment with it as these choices have important implications for an airline's performance. Our results suggest that, following the transition from a no-frills to a hybrid business model, a misalignment between the value proposition and the other elements of the business model will hinder an airline's ability to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage.