Digital business ecosystems: a comparison of different industries

Due to digitalization and the associated connectivity of products and services, dynamic, interconnected networks are becoming increasingly important for companies in the course of digital transformation. Digital business ecosystems enable companies to co-create value, reduce costs and adapt new technologies more rapidly. Therefore, more industries are embracing the implementation of ecosystems. Moreover, the connectivity of products and services is melting away market boundaries. As a result, companies are competing and cooperating at the same time. Among the most shaken up industries are the automotive, finance and insurance industry. Nevertheless, the current developments also include benefits and opportunities for other industries, as the sporting goods sector demonstrates. In the light of this trend, the following study provides an overview of the current maturity status of German digital business ecosystems. The study reveals the challenges and opportunities for each industry as well as the potential for growth within a digital business ecosystem.