When do I need this tool?

The Ecosystem Participation Navigator (short EPN) is especially aimed at entrepreneurs or decision makers who want to actively connect their start-up, already established company or division to the value creation process in a digital ecosystem and therefore need a new business model. In principle, it is advisable to include business model development as early as possible in the development of new technologies, products or services. In this way, concrete developments can be made to meet the needs of the market. Accordingly, the EPN can be used as early as the idea phase. At the same time, the EPN can also be used to adapt existing business models for existing products or services if these are to be integrated into digital ecosystems.

What does this tool do?

The Ecosystem Participation Navigator (EPN) developed within the scope of our work supports companies

• during the positioning in an ecosystem and
• the development of suitable business models.

With its step-by-step approach, the EPN represents a simple and comprehensible approach. The goal of the EPN is not to generate a finished and promising business model at the push of a button. Instead, it guides companies through the process of business model development. Specifically, it supports the positioning in a digital ecosystem and the development of suitable business models.

The EPN is available as a web application, which can be accessed here.

Literature:
Gassmann, O., Frankenberger, K., & Csik, M. (2013). The St. Gallen Business Model Navigator, University of St. Gallen.
Gassmann, O., Frankenberger, K., & Csik, M. (2017). Geschäftsmodelle entwickeln: 55 innovative Konzepte mit dem St. Galler Business Model Navigator: Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH Co KG. 
Mihale-Wilson, C., & Kubach, M. (2019). Business Models for Open Digital Ecosystems of Trustable Assistants. LNI, GI Edition Proceedings, „Open Identity Summit 2019“ (OID2019), Köllen, Germany.