Evolution and interaction in a business model: the case of inkjet printers in Japan

The purpose of this paper was to shed light on the process through which the business model of a certain industry evolves due to interaction caused mainly by competition among companies. To this end, I conducted a detailed investigation and analysis based on interviews with representatives of companies in the inkjet-printer business in Japan. I was able to break down the evolution of the business model into five stages, and provide details of the structure of the business model at each stage and the process through which it evolves. I performed a theoretical analysis of the logic and mechanisms of this evolution.