Typology of convergence for digital contents service: The case of App Store

摘要

This paper suggests a typology of convergence for digital contents service in an attempt to investigate the characteristics of service innovation. The convergence of digital contents service is identified as the recombination using the multi-source into a new innovative service. Thus, firstly, the structure of digital contents service is defined. Secondly, the typology of convergence for digital contents service is suggested. In this paper, six types of convergence patterns are identified: platform integration, product integration, process integration, product fusion, process fusion, and product-process fusion. Lastly, the case examples are illustrated for each typology using the applications of Apple's App Store. The typology suggested in this paper is able to serve the basis of the research for service convergence and explore the pattern of convergence which is crucial to the effective development of the digital contents service.