Exploring network modelling and strategy in the Dutch software business ecosystem

Abstract

In today’s product software market, the practices of re-use, partnering and 3rd party contracting give rise to complex software ecosystems. Over the duration of a product life-cycle, product software vendors build up relationships with their suppliers and other partners, which range from informal acknowledgements of each other’s presence to strategic alliances. There is still a lack of understanding surrounding the roles, connections, relationships, and resulting networks within software ecosystems. Using modelling techniques and statistical analysis, these networks can be used as tools to further that understanding. In this paper a collection of 67 software supply networks will be modelled as a network graph. Using clustering and two extensions of basic software supply network data, we identify several major players and domains in the Dutch software industry. Three business strategy perspectives are then related to the data to provide an example of their potential practical use.