Thesis defence by Ms. Alex Dandridge -FR

Event Details:

You are invited to attend an MBA thesis oral defence by Ms. Alex Dandridge on “Fitting Business Models in Sociotechnical Transitions: The Marketing of Utility Energy Efficiency Programs in Canada and the US."

Members of the Examining Board: 

David Foord, PhD (Supervisor), Faculty of Management 

Stephen Grant, PhD (Internal Reader), Faculty of Management

Shelley Rinehart, PhD (External Reader), Faculty of Business 

The oral defense will be chaired by: 

Jeff McNally, PhD, Faculty of Management 

ABSTRACT: 

This thesis explores the relationship between business models and the multi-level perspective on sociotechnical transitions. Through an examination of utility energy efficiency programs in Canada and the US, I use the business model canvas framework to understand how utilities market and deliver these programs. The research questions ask: how do utility business models differ for residential energy efficiency programs, and how do the differences in these business models affect the utilities’ role in transitions? Data is collected through semi-structured interviews with program managers and supported by content analysis of marketing materials. The business model canvas blocks of value propositions, customer segments, customer relationships and key partners are used to code and analyze the data. The analysis finds that key partners are a primary differentiator of utility business models, and can be further categorized into three groups based on relation to the focal firm and industry. A generic partner canvas is proposed to depict the relationship between value propositions and key partners. This partner canvas can be situated within the multi-level perspective to illuminate the relationship between actors and their business models within the regime.

Time and Location: 

Date: Monday, Aug. 15, 2022

Time: 1:30 p.m., AT

Place: Innovation Hub on the third-floor Harriet Irving Library or Click here to join the meeting

Building: Innovation Hub on the third-floor Harriet Irving Library