Cloud computing ecosystem model: evaluation and role clusters

Abstract

Several significantly different attempts have been undertaken to visualize the complex and opaque cloud computing ecosystem by a descriptive model. Recently, scholars have developed a new role-based cloud ecosystem model (Passau Cloud Computing Ecosystem Model (PaCE model)) based on a systematic analysis and synthesis of the previous models. However, its scientific evaluation is still outstanding. The main goal is therefore to conduct an evaluation regarding its structural equivalence and completeness compared to the real cloud business according to the design science research paradigm. The second goal is to demonstrate the model’s usefulness by using it as an instrument for the identification of role clusters, which are frequently covered by organizations. To this end, a cross-sectional analysis is conducted, in which 758 organizations are manually analysed and matched with the model’s current roles. As a result, roles have been newly added, removed, broken down into sub-roles, abstracted to a meta-role and renamed. The cluster analysis unveiled five role clusters. Whereas some roles were predominantly found as single role, further roles were exclusively or very frequently found in combination with others. Overall, the revised model creates, compared to the common rather technically orientated market overviews by market research institutes, a detailed categorization schema helping to understand and investigate the organizations belonging to the cloud ecosystem.

Success-Driving Business Model Characteristics of Iaas and Paas Providers

“…The paper's further contribution for researchers lies in the promising starting and reference point for future analysis of business models of various cloud ecosystem roles. The comprehensive Passau Cloud Computing Ecosystem Model (PaCE Model) [9], which was developed through a systematic analysis and synthesis of the previously published cloud computing ecosystem models, provides an appropriate basis for this undertaking. The PaCE Model comprises 26 roles for market actors, which are grouped into five categories -(1) client, (2) vendor, (3) hybrid role, (4) support and (5) environmentand entails the basic service flows between the roles [9].…”

“…This includes 4.1. (7,8,9,11) (3). One main reason for this discrepancy is the different research design: Labes et al [6] determined the success factors by screening the websites of cloud providers based on a predefined set of hypothetical business model characteristics.…”

“…So far, research has only provided one extensive analysis of cloud business models and their connection to economic success: Labes et al [6] derived abstract success factors by relating publicly available information regarding predefined characteristics of business model components of selected providers to their web visibility and profit. However, the study neglected that the cloud ecosystem allows the adoption of various roles and thus, cloud providers are characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity [9]. Beyond this background, this paper takes a perspective shift from an overall perspective towards a selective, role-specific and thus ecosystemic perspective on cloud business models.…”

“…With the introduction of cloud computing by Amazon Web Services in 2006, both vendors of traditional IT services and start-up companies were given the opportunity to take up new roles in this emerging complex and network-like business ecosystem [9,10]. A role in this context is understood as a "[…] set of similar services offered by market players to similar customers" [22].…”

“…SaaS refers to providing ondemand applications [23,24]. Building upon these three consecutive and interrelated service layers, a multitude of further ecosystem roles, such as aggregators, integrators and market place operators, has evolved [9]. From a business model perspective, a business ecosystem consists of synergetic business models, which enable joint value creation and capture [27].…”