Digitised, Connected Products and Business Model Development as a Consultancy Service: a Case Study of Combitech

Sammanfattning: As companies are digitising and connecting their products and venturing into the “internet of things”, they are facing challenges befitting what has been described as the third wave of IT-driven competition. In this wave, new technological capabilities are reshaping industries, redefining organisations and promoting new ways of doing business. To facilitate a holistic approach to these no doubt daunting challenges, recent theories have suggested the use of business models and practices of innovating and developing these. This thesis has explored the opportunities and challenges of providing business model development as a consultancy service by studying a large technology-oriented consultancy company. From its empirical findings, an opportunity for consultants to help customers develop their business models through a visionary leadership has emerged. Such a leadership, moreover, is likely to take its basis in a holistic approach to technology and business model development, supported by efficient sharing of knowledge and experience as well as effective collaboration across disciplines.