A perspective on path dependence processes: the role of knowledge integration in business model persistence dynamics in the provincial press in England

ABSTRACT

This paper examines why strategy innovation is rare in the regional news industry. It integrates the knowledge-based view of a firm, path-dependence theoretical perspective and the field of business model studies to interpret the historic emergence, formation, and current lock-in of legacy regional newspapers. The historic case of the provincial press in England is analysed to consider how, in an industrial context of relative simplicity and certainty, path-dependent formation processes are led by knowledge integration mechanisms.

KEYWORDS:

• Path dependence
• business model innovation
• regional press
• knowledge integration
• lock-in

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joaquin Cestino

Joaquín Cestino is currently a PhD Candidate at Jönköping International Business School and member of the Media Management and Transformation Centre (MMTC) at Jönköping University. His research focuses on entrepreneurship and innovation in media organizations, with a particular interest in legacy newspapers and journalist entrepreneurs. Joaquin joined MMTC after a long professional experience in marketing management positions in leading fast-moving-consumer-goods firms and legacy media.

Rachel Matthews

Dr Rachel Matthews is a Principal Lecturer in Journalism in the Department of Media and Performing Arts at Coventry University. Her research interests lie in the past, present and future of the provincial press and its particular relationship with communities. Before academia, she worked as a newspaper journalist for 15 years. As such, these interests are also explored via her continuing professional practice and through the Coventry TV project which brings industry, students and researchers together to experiment with the future of local news.