The motivation for this work arises from the practical experience and realization that companies of all industries nowadays face increasing pressure for innovation, particularly driven by digitization and servitization. However, innovating a business model in this context poses a non-trivial task, particularly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Given the constantly changing market dynamics, new technological possibilities, evolving customer behaviors, and intensified competition, SMEs must find approaches to continuously evolve their business models and ultimately enhance their profitability. Yet, it has been observed that SMEs often underutilize the potential of digital technologies and servitization approaches to innovate their existing product and organizational structures as well as underlying business processes. The development of suitable, innovative business models thus becomes a critical success factor for companies. Although theoretical approaches for business model design, generic innovation methodologies, systematizations for digitization aspects, and frameworks for comprehensive enterprise architecture exist, practical implementation often lacks manageable and contentspecific design approaches, as well as a profound understanding of the associated implementation possibilities and their significance and implications. To support SMEs in addressing their specific requirements, theoretically founded design approaches are necessary. It is important to investigate why existing approaches and concepts are not adequately utilized and how business models, incorporating aspects of digitization and servitization, can be designed to practically exploit the potential of these trends for a company. This research aims to provide answers to these questions and to make a sustainable contribution to the design of SME business models. To unlock these potentials, the DISGUS method consisting of a reference model for structuring, concrete solution components, and a procedural model for application is proposed. Building upon existing methods and approaches, this presents a specific method that explicitly addresses the drivers of digitization and servitization, and goes beyond visualization to provide concrete support for realizing an innovated business model. For the approach within this work, the design-oriented research paradigm is chosen as the basis. The design of the DISGUS method is based on empirical experiences, the specific conditions of SMEs, thorough literature review, and methodological principles. This work represents an important contribution to research in this field. The DISGUS method offers companies actionable recommendations for implementation, preparing them for current and future demands of digitization and servitization. The use of recognized standards and methodological foundations such as the concept of enterprise architectures based on the TOGAF framework, business model design approaches through the Business Model Canvas, as well as the utilization of widely accepted modeling notation ArchiMate, contribute to increasing practical utility.     «

The motivation for this work arises from the practical experience and realization that companies of all industries nowadays face increasing pressure for innovation, particularly driven by digitization and servitization. However, innovating a business model in this context poses a non-trivial task, particularly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Given the constantly changing market dynamics, new technological possibilities, evolving customer behaviors, and intensified comp...     »