Blockchain-enabled servitization : How blockchain could generate business value for mobility providers

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this study is to develop a conceptual understanding of how blockchain could serve as an enabler for servitization in the automotive industry. In doing so, we are studying what value-creating mechanisms that are associated with blockchain and how mobility providers could apply these to drive business value, while also considering prerequisites in the ecosystem.  Method – The study adopted an abductive research approach by conducting a case study of a specific business environment with firms taking part in the ongoing transformation towards mobility services. In total, ten companies participated in the study where all were involved or had experience from the prevailing context. The data collection was performed via three waves of interviews and the results were derived through a reflexive thematic analysis. Findings – This study resulted in a conceptual framework illustrating how value-creating mechanisms of blockchain could drive business value for mobility providers. Three categories of value-creating mechanisms were identified: anchor points, configuration elements and inherent qualities. In turn, these mechanisms enabled a set of mobility solutions which then could generate certain business values. For this to become a reality, five ecosystem prerequisites were identified: technology convergence, appropriate permissions, common standards, change management and value management. Theoretical implications – The study provide implications to the nascent literature at the intersection of blockchain and servitization by contributing with empirical evidence for mobility solutions underpinned by blockchain and how these drive business value. Furthermore, we also add to the existing literature by providing a holistic conceptualization of how value-creating mechanisms interrelate to enable mobility solutions.  Practical implications – The study provide managers with a conceptual understanding of how six distinctive use-cases could be solved with blockchain. Moreover, by bridging the gap between business and the technology, we contribute to reducing the knowledge gap that exist among automotive managers in this area, while also providing them with prerequisites needed to deploy blockchain at scale in the ecosystem and reach its full potential.     Limitations and future research – The study is limited by a single case study in a specific context and also by focusing on conceptualization of blockchain-enabled servitization in early stages. Hence, future studies could benefit from extending and validating our findings in other contexts as well as investigating how certain solutions may be implemented in practice.