Introduction:
Since the nature and environment of businesses and society in the modern world have undergone dynamic and complex changes, and the role of service environments and network economies has become increasingly prominent, the need to examine approaches and tools suited to these conditions is more critical than ever. Therefore, investigating the value network—focusing on the dynamic value creation system itself—can offer insights into addressing these new conditions. The value network focuses on how maximum value can be achieved by integrating the contributions of various economic actors in the system, including suppliers, competitors, and customers. A review of the research background revealed that the concept of the value network is broad, overlapping in various areas, and has undergone significant changes and developments. The aim of this study is to examine and identify the antecedent factors and processes that shape the value network, as well as its achievements, while considering the enabling and supporting factors that can be localized and widely applied across various industries.
Methodology:
The approach of the present article is interpretive, and the meta-synthesis method has been used. Meta-synthesis can be considered a systematic study and review of past research. Generally, meta-synthesis is a qualitative approach that combines findings from other studies on related topics, allowing the researcher to use secondary data from these studies to address their own research questions and generate new insights. Among the three common patterns in the meta-synthesis method, the seven-step model proposed by Sandusky and Barroso has been adopted in this study. This model is the most widely used and includes the following steps:1.Formulating a research question;2.Systematic review of previous research;3.Searching and selecting appropriate articles;4.Extracting information from articles;5.Analyzing and synthesizing qualitative findings;6.Quality control;7.Presentation of findings.In the first step, the researcher formulates the questions they aim to answer during the research process. The research questions in this study are as follows:1.What are the antecedents of the value network? 2.What are the process elements of the value network? 3.What are the achievements of the value network?4.What are the enabling factors of the value network? 5.What are the supporting factors of the value network? After determining the research questions, the second step involves conducting a systematic search. The scope of the search must first be clearly defined according to the meta-synthesis method. To find resources related to the value network, qualitative and quantitative articles indexed in the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases were selected. The search criteria included articles written in English, published between 2014 and 2024, and indexed under keywords such as "Value network," "Value networks," "Value creation networks," and "Value-creating networks." A background search was then conducted based on these parameters. Finally, during the data screening process, items such as the title, abstract, content, accessibility, and quality (evaluated using the ten CASP criteria) were reviewed based on the PRISMA algorithm. Ultimately, 60 articles were selected and included in the research process.
Results and Discussion:
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the components of the value network. To achieve this, the methods of transcription and systematic reviews, which are effective for obtaining a comprehensive understanding of a topic based on existing literature, were used.In this regard, 5 categories and 27 are the following model: Value Network Empowerment Factors (Value Network Governance, Value Network Management, Value Network Opening, Value Network Power, Centrality of Value Network, Value Network Size, Value Network Dynamics), Value Network Value Network, Value Network Innovation Value networking, understanding of value network structure, understanding the ultimate goal of the value network), value network processes (identification and evaluation in the value network, visual display of flows and enforcers in value network, value conversion in value network, social capital formation in value network, environmental analysis through value network, intangible value streams in value grid, tangible value flow network, value networking, Value creation, strengthening entrepreneurship).
Conclusion:
From the total collection of reviewed articles, 60 qualified English-language journal articles, published over the past 10 years, were scrutinized in the present study. After studying and evaluating the content of the articles and extracting relevant codes and concepts, five main categories were identified: empowerment factors, support factors, antecedents, processes, and achievements of the value network. Finally, a comprehensive model of the value network was developed using a meta-synthesis method.