Resource Orchestration in Complex Ecosystems: A Framework for Business Model Dynamics in 5G IoT

Abstract

This paper proposes an integrated conceptual framework combining the Resource-Based View (RBV), Dynamic Capabilities (DC), and Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) to examine business model dynamics within the 5G Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. The convergence of 5G technology and IoT has driven rapid evolution, creating both opportunities and challenges for firms, and necessitating innovative approaches to strategic management. While RBV emphasizes resource-based advantages and DC focuses on adaptive capabilities in dynamic environments, these theories alone struggle to address the non-linear dynamics and emergent behaviors inherent in complex ecosystems like 5G IoT. To bridge this gap, the Ecosystem Dynamics Business Model (EDBM) framework integrates RBV, DC, and CAS, offering a multi-level perspective that links firm-specific strategies with ecosystem-level interactions. Applied to the 5G IoT context, the EDBM elucidates resource orchestration, adaptive mechanisms, and collaborative strategies critical for sustained competitive advantage. The paper contributes theoretically by extending RBV and DC to technology-driven, dynamic settings and practically by providing managers with tools to navigate ecosystem complexity. Additionally, it explores policy implications and suggests future research directions, including empirical validation and testing the framework’s broader applicability. This study underscores the importance of synthesizing established theories with CAS to address contemporary business challenges.