A New Methodological Approach for Designing the Software Industry Value Chain

The importance of the software industry today is increasing because of its dispersive effects on the development of other industries. In this context, the software industry value chain analysis is a useful methodological approach that allows better understanding of software industry potentials for achieving increased efficiency and competitiveness. Hence, the main objective of this paper is to offer a new conceptual framework for the software industry value chain that will reflect the contemporary changes in this sector. The new model includes: a) identification of the key activities in the software industry; b) a new approach of sequencing the stages in the value chain; c) systematization of activities within each phase; and d) identification of interrelations and linkages in the chain