Business Ecosystem: More Than a New Name for Supply Chain?

Already in the 1990s, it was stated that the concept of the business ecosystem (BE) overlaps with that of supply chain management (SCM). Despite initial doubts about the novelty of the BE concept, the publication rate has increased without making a clear distinction between the two concepts. Similar to the discussion on the distinction between logistics and SCM, the following question arises: Is the BE more than a new name for the supply chain? First, this article analyzes the literature to identify elements for distinguishing the concepts. Second, the literature-based findings were validated and further completed using expert interviews. As a result, we present a list of 20 elements grouped into five dimensions: (1) actors, (2) the relations between actors, (3) the structure of the network, (4) the product, and (5) the platform. Third, we empirically investigate whether these elements are actually perceived by national and international researchers focused on BEs and/or SCM. The results suggest that some differences between these concepts, e.g., mutual dependence among actors, are not necessarily recognized. Differentiation by relationship type, the variety of actors within the network, and the product can be considered. Based on the insights gained, implications for BE management can be derived.