In the latest issue of Blockchains, an article by our scientists “Blockchain as an Enabler of Generic Business Model Realization” fills a critical gap between business‑model theory and the practical deployment of distributed‑ledger technology. The authors pose three key research questions: how does blockchain reshape industry dynamics, what characteristics define blockchain‑based business models (BMs) and does the technology truly enable entirely new ways of conducting business?
Drawing on nearly 40,000 decentralized applications from two independent data sets, the study adopts a design‑oriented research approach to classify and evaluate models systematically. The authors first revisit the concept of the business model and select a value‑oriented framework as the most suitable lens for decentralized enterprises. They then catalogue 15 distinct models grouped into seven sectors (including finance, energy, and IT services) and map 55 real‑world start‑ups to these patterns, distinguishing models that align with blockchain architectures from those rendered obsolete in a decentralized setting.
A key contribution is the identification of three novel BM patterns (e.g., “utility‑token orchestration” and “decentralized data marketplace”) previously unobserved in the literature or the market, alongside the refinement of four existing variants such as BaaS and P2P blockchain trading. The study demonstrates that transparency, immutability, and smart‑contract automation not only streamline traditional value chains but also create space for entirely new value propositions and revenue streams.
The findings carry both academic and practical weight: they offer researchers a robust taxonomy for further innovation studies, provide entrepreneurs with ready‑made templates for adopting blockchain, and give regulators a benchmark for crafting frameworks that support decentralization. Overall, the article shows that blockchain transforms business models with remarkable flexibility and scale, heralding the next wave of digital transformation.
Authors of the publication: Dr. Piotr Stolarski, Dr. Elżbieta Lewańska, Prof. Witold Abramowicz.