A system perspective on revenue sharing in the mobile value chain: an evidence from China mobile video ecosystem
ISSN: 1359-8546
Article publication date: 19 April 2018
Issue publication date: 9 May 2018
Abstract
Purpose
Hyperconnectivity and supercooperation among partners within the mobile value chain are crucial factors for sustainable growth of the mobile ecosystem. This study aims to identify the complex structure of hyperconnectivity and supercooperation underlying revenue sharing practices and the actions and reactions of Chinese mobile video triads.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses the causal loop diagram and system dynamics simulation to demonstrate the feedback causal structure wherein the revenue sharing (RS) rule adjustments trigger interactions among participants (e.g., MNOs, SPs and CPs) in mobile video service triads, leading to fluctuations in the number of mobile video users and total revenue in the mobile video value chain.
Findings
Change of RS rules among value chain participants is an incentive for achieving the sustainability of the mobile ecosystem, as examined using a system dynamics (SD) simulation. However, from the perspective of a tri-partite mobile value chain, the “accidental adversary” system archetype caused by adjustment of RS rules has an unintended negative impact on counterparts in the mobile ecosystem value chain.
Originality/value
This study analyzes a complex feedback causal structure based on structural interdependencies among growth, limiting and relaxing loops in the Chinese mobile video ecosystem. The result of SD simulation suggests strategic alternatives such as the “growth and underinvestment” systems archetype to overcome “limits to growth”. Moreover, this study explores the accidental adversary archetype in complex and complicated mobile service triads as an impediment to achieving sustainability of the mobile ecosystem.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive and detailed feedback on the previous draft of this paper. Their comments have contributed to improving this paper. The author also thanks Professor Ram Narasimhan, Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, for his careful reading and suggestions. This research was financially supported by Hansung University.
Citation
Choi, K. (2018), "A system perspective on revenue sharing in the mobile value chain: an evidence from China mobile video ecosystem", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 136-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-12-2017-0401
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited