Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Diane M. Dusick

Abstract

Although the rapid growth of the music streaming industry has led to record levels of global music consumption, many leaders in the music streaming industry have not developed a financially sustainable business model for music streaming. This descriptive single case study focused on strategies that some global music streaming service leaders used to generate sustainable profits through their business models. Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation served as the conceptual framework for this study. Semistructured interviews with the chief executive officer and 4 senior managers of a leading music streaming service in southeastern Asia were analyzed to identify themes. Secondary data collected for this research included practitioner reports, government reports, company documentation, and peer-reviewed journal articles. During data analysis, I used method triangulation to generate insights regarding the key themes identified in the literature review. Analysis of the data revealed strategies that global music streaming leaders used to generate profits: (a) optimization of the firm's dynamic capabilities, (b) optimization of the subscription and freemium business models, and (c) a deliberate focus on the niche of local music. The findings of this study could be useful to music streaming service leaders who need to generate sustainable revenues and lack the strategies to do so on their own as well as to music streaming leaders who want their service to implement a disruptive innovation strategy. Additionally, the findings of this study might promote social change by generating awareness of proven strategies leading to sustainable profits for music streaming services and job security for artists who contribute to sustaining or increasing local economies cash flows and taxable incomes.

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