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Startups significantly impact global economies through market innovations, often challenging existing paradigms. Typically adopting the blue ocean strategy to acquire customers swiftly, startups face unique management challenges. This study explores the relationship between management approaches, strategies, and business models in startups, addressing a gap in the literature that often focuses on established companies. It aims to identify effective management methods for startups by examining three key questions: – their awareness of strategies and business models, – the correlation between this awareness and the effectiveness of management tools. – the specific tools that align with different levels of awareness. The article consists of four sections: a literature review highlighting the importance of business strategies and models, a detailed research methodology, presentation of research findings, and conclusions with managerial recommendations. The literature review identifies a gap in startup studies, particularly regarding strategy and business model formalization. The methodology employs qualitative and quantitative approaches, including literature reviews, Delphi studies, surveys, and semi-structured interviews. Findings reveal that most startups identify their strategies and business models, though the level of formalization varies. A significant correlation exists between the formalization of strategy and business models and the effectiveness of management tools. The study identifies 44 management methods, techniques, and tools, including SWOT analysis, Business Model Canvas (BMC), and Lean Startup methods. The study concludes that a structured strategy and business model management approach enhances startup efficiency and effectiveness. It highlights the importance of simultaneous management of both elements. However, the research is limited to Polish startups, potentially influencing the results. Future research should extend this study to different geographical contexts and examine the relationship between strategy and startup business models. This research underscores the potential for further studies on management tools and methodologies in the green economy sector, where sustainable ecosystem creation is globally acknowledged. Linking these findings to sustainability can stimulate further examination of strategies and managerial tools in sustainable businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning enterprise applications (EA) software from on-premises to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a crucial question for IT adoption decisions. Grounded in the literature, this article suggests a research model to support enterprises assessing a transition strategy from on-premises to a SaaS model. The research model proposes eight hypotheses to be tested and analysed with data collected from a questionnaire among firms that have EA software. This paper goes beyond the software functionality and usage to address the strategic challenges of selection in a new landscape of the enterprise software industry, also considering the industry's software deployment chain, business model, and the moderating factor of firm's business process sophistication. We aim to provide new and significant guidelines for enterprise's and software vendor´s decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital transformation strategies are of elementary importance for organizations competing in the digital age. Challenges such as faster changing customer needs, new value creation structures in digital eco-systems, or the use of collective intelligence to innovate business models require leveraging digital technologies. To achieve this and remain competitive, appropriate digital transformation strategies need to be in place. Yet, studies show that organizations struggle with strategy formulation and implementation. Based on workshops with practitioners the authors obtained concrete needs, pains, and gains as requirements for the development of an own, new intelligent and platform-based assessment tool. The proposed tool collects, calculates, and visualizes in a self-service manner, relevant company data to support decision-makers and organizations in digital transformation strategy development and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploratory research based on case study method identified business model canvas that facilitate generation and validation of business model hypotheses by an entrepreneurial team of phygital startup at the fuzzy front end of innovation, where a concept of product and its feature set are determined and validated. The business model canvas utilizes the lean startup and user-centred design thinking approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Servitization is a growing trend where companies expand their product-based businesses to include complementary service offerings. The digital age is accelerating this trend as technology allows companies from all sectors to offer increasingly sophisticated, integrated, and personalized services. This shift requires companies to restructure their organizational structures and improve their processes. A systematic literature review was conducted to uncover successful practices and approaches in implementing servitization in the current technological setting. This systematic review provides a comprehensive understanding of recent research on servitization, business models, big data analytics, and pricing strategies. It concludes that companies can establish a competitive advantage in today's digital age by effectively transforming business models towards holistic solutions, exploiting big data analytics, and crafting pricing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need of undertaking effective actions against the climate change is pushing industrial companies to find new business models and technological solutions to reduce the resource utilization and the waste production. In this context, several companies are moving towards servitization, that has been proved as a promising strategy to enable sustainable business models in a wide spectrum, namely encompassing environmental, economic and social aspects. Nevertheless, companies lacks of tools for evaluating different servitization models with a clear view of economic and environmental benefits. This paper presents a model to estimate the profitability of servitization opportunities by combining economic Net Present Value index and environmental impacts estimation. The model is targeted on the steel sector, for which a preliminary application has been developed and is discussed in the paper. The results show that adopting different servitization business models, several benefits could be exploited both from providers and customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply Chain Integration (SCI) has attracted increasing attention in Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) literature as it could be a very useful tool for risk mitigation. At the same time, companies in several sectors are experiencing a transition towards more circular and sustainable business models, which poses new challenges and risks for firms. Despite the relevance of integrative practices in supply chains to deal with risks and uncertainties, evidence about the role of SCI for dealing with risks of Circular Economy (CE) is still lacking. The focus of this paper is on the causal link between SCI and SCRM in a circular economy context, with the main aim of investigating the effects of SCI and SCRM practices combined with CE on company performance. For this research, a multiple case-study approach was adopted involving several companies at different levels in the furniture industry. The results are expected to guide companies in their transition towards CE business models, being able to better deal with CE risks through integrative practices and obtaining an overall increase of efficiency, particularly in costs, due to the optimization and green use of waste materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Failed entrepreneurs often encounter negative societal perceptions that impede their ability to learn from failure, take risks, and innovate business models. Reducing this stigma appears crucial to support entrepreneurship and foster innovation. However, the precise relationship between stigma reduction and desired outcomes remains uncertain. This study addresses this gap by examining the variables influencing the perception of business failure. Through a systematic literature review and content analysis, we identified 20 variables within the network. A subsequent cross-impact analysis helped delineate these variables as critical, influential, dependent, inert, or neuter. Stigma emerged as the critical variable, exerting significant influence. Culture, bankruptcy laws, social capital, the frequency of business failures, and entrepreneurial attributes played pivotal roles as influential variables. Dependent variables encompassed the rate of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial intention, and learning from failure. This study underscores the importance of comprehending the interplay between these variables and their impact on entrepreneurial outcomes. Although the influence of societal perceptions on business model innovation proved minimal, failed entrepreneurs displayed resilience in defying stigma and engaging in innovative endeavors. Our findings shed light on the significance of societal perceptions within entrepreneurial ecosystems and the adaptability of entrepreneurs in innovating existing business models. This study lays a foundation for further research into the dynamics of these influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated industrial Visual Inspection Systems (VIS) are typically customized for specific applications, limiting their flexibility. They are characterized by a demanding setup, high capital investments, and significant knowledge barriers. In this paper, we propose an alternative architecture for the visual inspection of 3D printed parts or complex assemblies using a robotic arm equipped with hand-eye sensors and controllable lighting system. The core of the proposed Flexible Vision Inspection System (FVIS) is the self-extraction of 3D text annotations from STandard for the Exchange of Product model (STEP) AP242 files. The system self-selects and parametrizes the most suitable inspection algorithm, including lighting settings. Additionally, it autonomously performs self-localization, self-referencing of physical products, and self-planning of robot inspection path based on CAD information. This framework, characterized by self-X, cost-effective, non-invasive, and plug-and-play architecture has the potential to disrupt the business model of vision inspection, enabling an as-a-service solution aligned with the next generation of flexible manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the role of entrepreneurship education has grown dramatically in significance, as a driver for innovation, employment, and economic development. The acquisition of entrepreneurship skills empowers individuals to recognize and capitalize on opportunities, effectively manage risks, and navigate the dynamic landscape of the Deep Tech industry. These skills enable engineers to identify viable business models, understand market dynamics, secure funding for research projects, and effectively communicate their ideas to stakeholders, including investors, industry partners, and policymakers. To realize the aforementioned objectives, Higher Education Institutions play a critical role by educating future (engineering) experts and are seen as drivers of innovation. This paper presents a use case in the form of an educational toolkit. It focuses on how to professionalize entrepreneurship education, fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among engineering experts, academic staff, and non-academic staff at Higher Education Institutions in Deep Tech-related disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgent need to act against climate change is emphasized in many initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal, and the Circular Economy Action Plan. The role of the industrial sector is crucial. Companies, however, have to operate in a very complex environment driven by digitization and are supposed to be more sustainable. This paper explores how companies can implement the ecological transformation, with a focus on the role of digital technologies and data in enabling the twin transition. This paper proposes an approach to support SMEs in the twin transition through a combination of digital and sustainable business model development. The concept includes an interdisciplinary methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches, focusing on the latter. The suggested method collection includes adaptations of the business model canvas, value proposition analysis, data-driven decision-making, and the integration of environmental and economic considerations using the system of environmental-economic accounting. In particular, approaches to define the quantification of economic as well as ecological value will be key levers for sustainable implementation. By leveraging these approaches, SMEs can navigate the challenges of digital transformation and sustainability and contribute to a more sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, multiple crises have shown the fragility of global supply chains. In particular, climate change sheds light on the never-ending waste of resources caused by the linear economic model. In response, circular economy emerges as a promising alternative. Companies must rethink and innovate their business models, product life cycles, and underlying mindsets for a systemic transition. Cross-sectoral collaboration in networks is necessary to redesign, reuse, recycle, and remanufacture products and close the loop of material flows. First, projects and research on the concepts of open source hardware, open innovation, and open design show that openness can be a game-changer for the circular economy and circular business models. Although there has been growing interest, there is still a lack of comprehensive research examining possible synergies of openness and circularity, as well as identifying patterns for integrating these concepts into business models. This paper explores possible ways, prerequisites, and obstacles of open source concepts enabling circular value creation in industry. We combine explorative data from a literature review and more than 10 interviews with open source and circular economy experts. Furthermore, a total of 38 case studies of circular or open or open & circular business models were identified and selected for analysis. The empirical results were triangulated with existing business model patterns from the literature. The study presents a framework to describe open and circular business models and four prototypical patterns. In an exploratory approach, we identify necessary lines of future research in order to facilitate open source movements toward a circular economy. The paper provides insights for academics and practitioners from production and supply chain management. It combines interdisciplinary perspectives to unlock the potential of open source concepts and collaboration for enabling a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an academic exploration of the shifting landscape of business models toward greater sustainability, considering the environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The United Nations has emphasized the need for companies to prioritize sustainability, leading to scholarly discussions on the topic. While economic sustainability remains important, decision-makers must now navigate the transformation of their business models to incorporate environmental and social sustainability, driven by emerging regulations such as the European Union's Green Deal. This transition may initially appear as an additional task accompanied by potential investment costs and reduced profits. However, it also presents opportunities for economic growth through the creation of new value propositions, entry into untapped markets, access to novel customer segments, the provision of innovative services, and the facilitation of data-driven supply chains. This paper provides a comprehensive literature review on sustainability as a pivotal future value proposition for companies and identifies potential pathways that can leverage its transformative potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MDA represents a fundamental standard established by the Object Management Group (OMG) that serves as a foundation for model-driven development. Within the MDA framework, the computation-independent model (CIM) holds the position of the initial abstraction level. As a business model, the CIM describes the requirements and environment of a business, playing a pivotal role in influencing all other levels of the MDA approach. Recognizing the significance of this stage in MDA, the primary objective of this paper is to propose a web-based approach for automating the construction of CIM. This approach utilizes web interfaces to gather relevant information from users about the business model. Furthermore, an illustrative example is presented to provide a clearer demonstration of the application of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of animal healthcare is in a constant state of evolution, with the veterinary industry experiencing significant transformations due to the introduction of novel technologies and innovative advancements. This article aims to explore the importance of innovation and ICT in business models of veterinary practices. The article draws on existing literature on innovation and practical experiences that identifies key challenges and opportunities in animal healthcare business models. In the article the Author attempted to answer three research questions: What are the potential benefits of ICT innovation in veterinary practices in terms of efficiency, quality of care, and customer satisfaction? How can ICT innovations improve the overall business model and communication within veterinary clinics? What specific ICT tools and technologies are available and suitable for integration into veterinary practices? The aim of the study was to analyze the business model of veterinary clinics and identify tools and ICT innovations to improve the functioning of veterinary practices. For this purpose, the Author conducted relevant literature reviews, inductive and deducting reasoning, analysis with the use of business model canvas and 102 in-depth interviews (IDI). Main results from the conducted study shows, that by leveraging technology in various areas, such as value propositions, customer relationships, channels, key partners, key activities, key resources, cost structure, and revenue streams, veterinary clinics can enhance their operations and provide better services to their customers. The results of the study may be useful to other researchers as well as executives in the animal healthcare facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Startups' inherent qualities, as well as their crucial role in development, implementation and diffusion of improved goods and services, which reduce the use of natural resources or increase societal inclusion, enabled to identify two main goals of the paper. The first one is to get more insight into the way strategy and business model are used in startups. Second goal is to take a closer look at the relationship between them to find out, which one – if any – dominates. The way startup uses these approaches is going to have a significant impact on: implementation of management methods and tools, process of strategy identification and implementation, as well as business model innovation (BMI) management. Since BMI provides mechanisms to assist the innovation process for embedding sustainability, it can be viewed at as an alternative to product or process innovation. Hence, the way BMI is implemented is critical not only for sustainable product and service innovation, but also startup's sustainable growth. The five-step research procedure included both qualitative and quantitative research methods, main one being survey questionnaire. The sample comprised 152 Polish startups. Research results confirmed, that both strategy and business model approaches were used by the sample companies. It means that well-known and established strategic management tools do hold significance also in startups. In the context of relationship between these two approaches, two main conclusions can be drawn. Firstly, all three scenarios included in the research were used; secondly, the most popular one being business model adapted to strategy. Moreover, research results suggest, that there is a point in startup's life cycle, at which it starts to focus on its strategy, bringing it closer to company model typical for strategic management mainstream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key factor in building and maintaining unique market advantages. The use of AI is becoming widespread and global. Under the influence of the dissemination of AI on the market, companies using new business models are starting to compete more and more often. Activities focused on the use of AI are becoming a market standard nowadays, they are expected by both contractors and customers. At the same time, more and more norms and laws regulate these issues, forcing specific actions and abandoning old practices. The aim of the work was to determine to what extent the use of AI in individual areas of business activity affects their development. Publicly available data from the Eurostat database was obtained for the analysis. In order to achieve the goal, a statistical multidimensional analysis was used, and to be more precise - the method of comparative analysis, which made it possible to assess the differences of the studied units due to the complex phenomenon and to rank them according to the level of the examined phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we will examine how innovation, which is the source of competitiveness of good companies, is managed in their organizational structure by combining patent-based network analysis, the Business Model Canvas, one of the tools for practical activities for new businesses, and the perspective of ISO 56000, and by analyzing Fujifilm's The analysis was conducted focusing on the period when Fujifilm underwent a major corporate transformation. As a result, we could distinguish between the organizational structure of the genus-based approach and the organizational structure of the organization-based approach based on the network diagram and the relationship between proximity centrality and eigenvector centrality. It was also suggested that a deeper analysis of new business development activities, e.g., "What aspects should be improved?" would be possible by overlaying the analysis results from the perspective of the Business Model Canvas and the ISO 56000 innovation management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional successful business model of companies has been to increase productivity with high efficiency in order to provide good quality products to society. However, this business model is changing to focus on how to optimally manage corporate technology and resources to solve social issues. Therefore, it is necessary to promote three different types of activities to improve quality, productivity and sustainability that ensure the sustainability of each organization into the future. In this paper, we propose an SDQ Cube Template that expresses the strategy to promote SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), DX (Digital transformation) and QC (Quality Control) initiatives in business processes. Additionally, we clarify the effectiveness of the proposed method by expressing practical business processes using the SDQ Cube template. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the implementation of new concepts and business models to increase data quality by defining clear rules for real-time error detection in an experimental decision support system (DSS), which helps financial decision-makers to analyse and process useful and business information from raw data, documents, personal knowledge and/or business models in order to identify and solve complex financial problems and to choose the best decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the penetration of digital transformation into enterprises, business model creation has become important issues for modern enterprises. Although business model canvas is well known, it isn't easy to use Business Model Canvas for novice service designers. In this paper, an integrated technique is proposed to develop the service oriented Business Model Canvas step by step by combining with Customer Journey Map and Service Blueprint. Moreover, we examine the applicability of the technique by designing an emergency call service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing a digital direct-to-consumer (D2C) business is a complex and challenging, yet also highly attractive opportunity for many companies. To leverage this opportunity, managers need to understand what types of digital D2C models exist and how to configure them. Based on a review of the D2C literature, an analysis of 15 D2C online shops and interviews with experts from the respective firms, this paper develops a morphological box of D2C models using a design science research process. The morphological box serves as a tool that provides orientation for managers to find a suitable D2C configuration for their business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Business model research on m-business with an entrepreneurial mindset continues to grow. The purpose of this study was to review the body of knowledge and research on the relationship between business models and m-business from the standpoint of a systematic literature review. The PRISMA protocol for conducting and reporting the systematic review was followed when conducting the systematic literature review. Based on a systematic search of the Scopus database, a total of 21 peer-reviewed articles were included. The research agenda for further work in this field was provided in themes such as yearly research, multilevel, perspective, as well as the geographic context of the business model on m-business. The categorization of the business model on m-business was carried out to understand the direction of study in this field and the emphasis on certain aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The company's ability to innovate has a significant impact on its business model. Innovation encourages companies to move towards a more sustainable direction in their business, this shift is of course based on the sustainable values in it. The paper aims to analyze the value flow sustainable business model from a study case of mining company. The company wants to shift their business model in order to accommodate the innovation business process that has been develop from one year ago. Value intention, value proposition, value creation and delivery, and value capture are four values that is included in sustainable business model, these values indicate that the company is concern on how the goods will align with sustainable concept. This research using qualitative method by interviewing top management about their value. The result of this paper assigns that value intention as the main variable that push the company to shift the business model to be more sustainable, along with the value proposition of making asphalt residue become Asphalt Solid Waste (ASW), for value creation and delivery the company wants to introduce ASW as a sustainable product to replace imported oil asphalt and the last from value capture is about generating profit from this new sustainable product. From all of the values above, it confirms that the company has ready to shift to sustainable business model conceptually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the options for corporations to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace is by establishing business cooperation between large companies and start-ups. Start-ups see corporations as recipients of their solutions (products, services). Meanwhile corporations are interested to a large extent in getting access to breakthrough technologies, innovations, new business models present on the market. This paper deals with the assessment of opportunities for business cooperation in the start-up-corporate model at the background of global market turbulence caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The research focused on the perception of this cooperation from the perspective of start-ups', which: are at different phases of development (concept phase, development phase, scaling up phase) and are characterised by different lengths of time they operate in the marketplace. This paper aims at presenting the impact of market turbulence on the relationship between start-ups and corporations, and thus to verify the research question regarding the impact of market perturbations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on mounting corporate interest in cooperation with start-ups. The results were analysed based on a sample of 101 start-ups participating in acceleration programmes with the involvement of large companies, organised by start-up accelerators. The findings allow to draw several conclusions: representatives of start-ups more often observe a decrease in interest and priority of cooperation between corporations and start-ups in connection with the emergence of a global pandemic. Moreover, they less often feel that corporations are looking for start-ups outside their core areas of interest, while it is start-ups that have to adapt to the changing needs of technology users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological capabilities are enabling the implementation of various prognostic methodologies for industrial assets. Whereas companies are driving for finding new ways to improve asset operation and service offerings to their customers, model-based simulations can be deployed to model machine behavior for instance in usage cases unconventional for the asset. Modern embedded technologies in peripheral milling machines offer asset operation-related data collection and sharing online. Due to this capability, understanding of the asset operational behavior can be assessed remotely, and the data can be used to estimate the wear progress of the milling blades. However, creating a model-based simulation model is not heavily dependent on online data, yet the model construction requires knowledge about asset operation and physical behavior to enable purpose-fit and simple enough simulation construction. In this research, a model-based simulation model is created to predict peripheral milling machine blade wear in terms of average vibration and torque parameters. A blade wear variability in different usage profiles is being tested with a simulation test case. The results are proving that the model-based simulation model can be accurately used to emulate asset physical behavior by the means of torque and vibration parameters. Based on the results, changes in the asset vibration average trend can be distinctly utilized to estimate wear progress on the spindle cutting blades. Further, predicted vibration levels and blade lifetime estimations can be considered in PPX type of business model profitability or lifecycle related calculations where ownership of machines is retained by the manufacturing company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital transformation is a challenge that many SMEs find difficult to embrace. This difficulty is not due to a lack of will or resources but to the lack of the right strategies for the specific type of organization. It is a common and accepted opinion that many of the digital transformation projects fail or do not achieve the proposed objectives because of the chosen strategy. Digital transformation cannot be seen as a mere evolution of technologies but as a need to shape the entire business of the organization. The increase in e-commerce has forced SMEs to embark on this disruptive process based on globalization and digital business. In this work, we seek to understand which kind of strategy an SME in the retail industry should follow for a correct transformation of its business model. In this work, is proposed a conceptual model for the digital transformation of retail SMEs and explained how to create a prototype script to support the choice of the best digital strategy for retail SMEs. To prove the validity of the prototype, it has been applied in a practical case of a business process in a retail SME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to support entrepreneurs in the Business Model Innovation (BMI) process, practice-oriented frameworks such as the St. Gallen Business Model NavigatorTM (BMN) are considered to be a powerful tool. The aim of this paper is to identify strengths and limitations of the BMN when applied to start-ups in their early stages and to contribute to the optimization of the BMN in terms of applicability for start-ups. Furthermore, the paper aims to emphasize the importance of BMI for start-ups and the relevance of a supporting framework as well as formulating a unified catalogue of requirements of BMI frameworks for start-ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to determine how digital transformation of operation and trading processes influence the digital transformation of business models in printed media industries. A regression model was applied to address the phenomenon and test the hypothesis. Measurements were performed through a self-administered tool, aimed to executives in a sample including 40 companies in the sector. The results allowed to confirm that the application of digital transformation to trading and operation processes directly leads to a digital transformation of the business model, enhancing the identification of a particular effort and investment approach for the digital turn of businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the implementation of the digital sharing economy provides many positive values, there are still few SMEs that adopt the digital sharing economy. It is inseparable from the readiness of SMEs to adopt the digital sharing economy business model. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the readiness for change in SMEs in helping SMEs adopt the digital sharing economy. The literature review states a need for a strategy and guidelines in implementing the digital sharing economy for SMEs. This study is also supported by other studies in various countries, illustrating that the adoption of the digital sharing economy is not running smoothly. This study aims to understand the current conditions in the field regarding the readiness to change SMEs in adopting the digital sharing economy business model. This preliminary study used a snowballing technique to conduct semi-structured interviews with SME owners in the household consumption sector in Indonesia. The preliminary study's findings include the readiness of SMEs to change in adopting the digital sharing economy business model, elements related to readiness on the digital sharing economy, and the need for guidance in adopting the digital sharing economy. This study concludes that the readiness of SMEs to switch to a digital sharing business model is still limited. Currently, there are no guidelines that direct the implementation of the digital sharing economy business model. Therefore, preparedness and guidelines are needed as a strategic step to help SMEs prepare to switch to a sharing economy business model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Research-in-Progress paper presents a preliminary design of a maturity model for assessing the internal readiness of business-to-business equipment manufacturing companies implementing new, service-based pay-per-x (PPX) business models. By using existing maturity model design guidelines, action design research methodology as well as PPX-related literature and analogous maturity models in fields such as servitization, digitization, Industry 4.0, data-driven manufacturing and product-service systems, this paper explains how the creation of a maturity model could enable a systematic approach to implementing the new PPX business models. The paper will also provide the basis for the PPX maturity model development and validation in the future, while aiding the equipment manufacturing companies in assessing their current as-is situation in the most critical areas of PPX implementation as well as formulating a roadmap towards the implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last two years, the world has gone through an unprecedented change in the most diverse dimensions (social, economic, and even political), leading that society had to adapt very quickly to the contingencies imposed by COVID-19. All organizations (independent of their area of activity) had to adjust their processes to respond, efficiently and effectively, to these constraints. In this context, companies with concerns in internationalization (those that are already internationalized and those in an internationalization process) have had to resort to technologies to support the change in their modus operandi. The digital transformation (until now had an essential role in the transformation of organizations, but which was in a relatively slow implementation process) started to perform, in an accelerated way, the base of work for the heads of the organizations to be able to respond to these challenges. In this context, the transformation of the business model, supported by digital technology, has been documented as one of the strategies used to respond to disruptive environmental changes, particularly technologies that help companies identify new business practices. This study aims to find evidence of the importance of integrating and influencing technological innovations in the practice of international business strategy before and during COVID-19 pandemic. The results show the influence of the digitalization on the business strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategic business advice is perceived as the way to meet challenges related to business development and strategic change, with direct impact on business growth and productivity. Small IT companies face particular pressures resulting from rapid changes in technology and market environment. In many cases they need transformation in order to grow or to cope with evolving competition. They often need to transform their strategic business approaches, including implementation of new products and increasing business models efficiency. The article analyses the process of strategic change of the management model in a small IT company with the participation of a business advisor. The process based consulting model was used to demonstrate how the strategic change is implemented in organization, while the perspective of business owner is used. It is concluded that strategic business advice is a powerful tool when pivot in company's strategic orientation is necessary, but several conditions has to be met for the change to happen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the ambitious indicators in the EU Green Deal requires adopting a more networked, collaborative and integrative approach across the ecosystem. To pave the way for sustainable development and meet growing societal needs, an integrated approach that integrates social, environmental, industry and societal interests must be used, particularly with regard to a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment (VUCA). Creative and Culture Industries (CCIs) by their nature are digitally oriented. All CCIs include both physical and digital products and services. The vast majority of all growth generated by CCIs today is digital - the non-digital portion of the business is generally stagnant or even shrinking (However, research on to what extent and how digitization has positive and/or negative effects on economic, social, environmental and cultural outcomes is still premature. World Economic Forum, under the combination of desired economic efficiency, social justice, environmental responsibility, and institutional stability, CCIs and digitization become key enablers of sustainable ecosystems. Therefore, it is important to explore how CCIs as primary drivers can influence the of sustainable social progress and meet opposing growing societal needs. Using a research niche, the authors of this paper conducted a study between September and December 2020, selecting entities in the research pool that have worked with CCIs to deliver innovative product, service, business model, or process solutions in the past two years. The research objective was to investigate the process of cooperation between the traditional and creative sectors in five areas of Social, Process, Financial, Corporate and Socio-Environment Level. Due to the lack of methodological tools to study such a process, the following article presents the results of the question selection and correctly constructed scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current pandemic situation creates several challenges for many entities. One of them is the fact that fast fashion retailers have to change their strategic activities related to the whole business model concept. In the proposed paper it is assumed that business model plays crucial role as the success factor for entities from different industries including fast fashion retailing especially in the era of global pandemics. Therefore, the aforementioned area (business model as the success factor of the company) constitutes the subject of the paper. Purpose. The aim of the paper is to indicate the scope and main character of changes in business models implemented by fast fashion retailers in pandemic times. The following goals of descriptive and cognitive character are assumed in the paper: a) identification of the fast fashion retailers' common activities in changing business models in the era of pandemics, and b) identification of e-commerce solutions applied by fast fashion retail chains which are caused by development of multi-channel and omni-channel solutions based on Inditex example. Methodology. Based on the theoretic deliberation of retail chains business models in the pandemic times, qualitative research was conducted to supplement the theoretical background. The purpose of this study was to identify how fast fashion retailers develop their e-commerce solutions to maintain the sales level. The conducted research enabled finding the answers to the following research questions: What are the good practices of fast fashion retailers in terms of development of e-commerce channels? Can fast fashion retailers relying on e-commerce business models stay profitable in the Covid-19 pandemics? The theoretic deliberation is based on critical literature review. The empirical part of the paper is based on case study research. The conducted research was descriptive in nature, conducted in order to describe a particular phenomenon within its context, and was not intended to provide conclusive evidence, but to have a better understanding of the problem. Descriptive intrinsic case study was the method applied in the research. Results. On the grounds of literature studies, as well as collected information, it can be stated that e-commerce solutions are the predominant business model of fast fashion retailers in the era of global COVID 19 pandemics. The descriptive case study research allowed to observe, analyse, and report good practices of fast fashion retailer Inditex in terms of implementing into their business models more and more e-commerce solutions such as: development of applications, development of multi and omni channels. The theoretical contribution. On the grounds of the case, it can be stated that during pandemics fast fashion retail chains focus on development of innovative business models based on e-commerce solutions. Practical implications (if applicable). The paper provides intellectual input into the managerial problem of how to develop mutual beneficiary business models for fast retail chains as well as for their customers. The study suggests that fast fashion retail chains have to take into consideration growing customers expectation, with regard to e-commerce solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitization is one of the main drivers of changing the way of work within enterprises because new business models evolve from recent digitization processes. Besides the ongoing information technologies in the world of business, it is important for small and medium-sized enterprises to care for their employees and to ensure employee satisfaction. This paper aims at assessing the influence of digitization on employee satisfaction in small and medium-sized companies. This paper is based on qualitative empirical research with focus on expert interviews. The transcribed expert interviews were evaluated using the Grounded Theory approach. Grounded Theory is a method that is particularly suitable for theory building and for identification of new and unknown relationships. The objective of this study is to provide recommendations for small and medium-sized enterprises regarding when they face increasing challenges as a result of volatile market environments and versatile digitization processes to ensure employee satisfaction. Our study identifies emerging factors which influence employee satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of a review system in e-commerce platforms results in an effective business model. The effects of positive/negative reviews on the success of a product are well studied in the literature. Therefore, for the vendors, it is crucial to obtain positive reviews of their products. This fact opens fraudulent scenarios. Indeed, some vendors can pay an incentive to the buyers to obtain, in exchange, a fake positive review. This fake-review system (FRS) is so widespread that vendors rely on ad-hoc companies that, through intermediaries, find buyers available to release fake reviews. In this paper, we propose a game-theory-based strategy to discourage the above fraudulent business model, and an effective way to implement this strategy leveraging an Ethereum smart contract. Specifically, the contribution of the paper is two-fold. First, we formalize the current business model as a sequential game, and we identify sufficient conditions making FRS advantageous. Second, we propose to introduce in the review system a new mechanism, thanks to which, the corresponding sequential game requires conditions necessary to make advantageous FRS that are strictly less convenient than the previous ones. We implemented the solution and evaluate the cost of the smart contract execution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the current state of the society in which we live, in terms of energy pollution, several objectives have been set to try to reduce environmental problems. Some of these goals include an exponential increase in production through renewable energy, and Electric Vehicles (EVs) circulating on roads. Due to this high penetration of distributed energy resources in the electricity grid, several problems may exist: grid congestion, causing severe energy systems damage. Innovative coordination strategies must be developed to mitigate these situations. This paper proposes a methodology to minimize this problem in a smart grid with high penetration of Distributed Generation (DG) and EVs, taking into account multiple aggregators. Initially, the proposed model calculates each aggregator's profit through some business models and analyzes the network without any congestion strategy. This analysis is then done in the presence of Distribution Locational Marginal Pricing (DLMPs), which the aggregator receives from the Distributed System Operator (DSO). The DSO gets these prices after running the Optimal Power Flow (OPF), where these prices involve the market price, the cost of losses, and the cost of congestion at a given point in the network. Here the aggregators react according to these costs, such as trying to buy flexibility from their customers. In this study, the results prove that dynamic prices are more viable for the power grid by reducing congestion by analyzing each aggregator's profit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online sales of goods and services are constantly increasing, which imposes a significant challenge on logistics networks worldwide. Enabled by recent technological developments and crowdsourcing concepts, novel ways of delivering goods have emerged lately. To provide insights into the motivations of crowdsourcees and their willingness to work as occasional drivers, as well as into the requirements a crowdshipping company shall fulfil, we performed a survey with 100 respondents. Methodologically we applied a contingent valuation, which identifies elements the crowdsourcing business model shall provide to make it a sustainable one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New technologies emerge almost every day and they change how organizations and even governments operate. One of the technologies which had a great impact on business models is the cloud computing technology. Cloud computing impacts how resources and capabilities can be used to function effectively and efficiently. It allows organizations to operate in a competitive environment without focusing on scaling, maintenance, and failure. It became a key factor in IT vendors' strategies and governments like US Apps, and The Kasumigaseki Cloud in Japan. This study will investigate the challenges for deploying cloud computing in the eHealth Context within developing countries. It will examine the doctors' and managers' evaluation of cost, security, infrastructure, management support and the importance of other challenges in deploying cloud computing in eHealth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital transformation has become an increasingly important topic among enterprises and in research. The adoption of enterprise systems is such an investment, and it usually requires significant change management activities to realize the potential benefits. One important issue is how firms should go about to make investments in appropriate digital technology – and the appropriate changes to organizational processes and business models. This is particularly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They generally have very limited resources, and they usually depend on external input and cooperation with other companies. Therefore, a successful strategy for many SMEs has been to cooperate with other companies to co-create digital assets. There is limited research on co-creation among SMEs, and we know little about how they should go about to initiate a co-creation network. We have therefore developed a conceptual model of a co-creation canvas based on a review of the literature and co-creation cases. This canvas can be a useful tool for SMEs to better grasp how they should approach the formation of a co-creation network in their industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to support entrepreneurs facing Business Model Innovation, the Lean Startup methodology is considered to be a powerful tool. However, the theoretical and practical evidences that relate both methodologies to startup sustainability is still to be investigated. The aim of this paper is to develop a unified theoretical perspective for understanding Business Model Innovation and Lean Startup processes and their contribution to a better organizational, economic, environmental and social performance of startup business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the design, administration and implementation of SOA under an infrastructure and cost optimization approach for medium, small, and micro companies. The architecture is defined from a conceptual model that abstracts the business model into three central services: Chat Service, Business Service and Company Service and the physical model that was deployed to carry out its implementation. In turn, the modifications to the traditional SOA are exposed, which were: withdrawal of service contract layer, low impact in web services and decentralization of data storage. As a result, improvements in business agility were obtained with optimization of infrastructure resources, and costs of a software development company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, intensive development of sailing tourism has been observed in various regions of the world. This is a beneficial phenomenon from the point of view of sustainable tourism development because sailing yachts are powered by the wind and therefore do not emit exhaust gas into the atmosphere. Tourists usually travel in small groups, which is not mass tourism that disrupts local communities. It is tourism practised in close contact and with respect for nature. The conducted research combine sailing tourism and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools which are insufficiently used by entities associated with the sailing tourism market. Sailing market research allowed to identify the need to design a comprehensive e-platform for sailing tourism. Its functionality would not only allow a wide presentation of the offer and reach a wide range of tourists but also enables transactions. The aim of the paper is to develop the original concept of a business model of e-platform for sailing tourism. The presented concept is grounded on modified Business Model Canvas (BMC) in terms of its structure and operationalization. The role of cooperation for the development of sailing tourism between private entities and representatives of regional institutions and organizations at national and international levels was emphasized. The cooperation manifested in the integration of activities will allow creating a product commonly used by tourists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finance and financial markets are the engine of sustainability. Financial institutions are one of the main channels influencing entrepreneurs. By determining the conditions of access to financial services, the financial market affects the decisions and attitudes of entrepreneurs, including their business models. The purpose of this article is to diagnose whether (and to what extent) banks affect the decisions and business models of enterprises. The research material is based on data obtained by survey, supplemented by in-depth interviews with 60 Polish enterprises operating in ESG-sensitive sectors. The study uses correspondence analysis, a method of multivariate analysis. The results of the study indicate that financial institutions have an impact on enterprises that have a business model and such enterprises declare their will to co-operate with the bank and to implement the ESG risk reduction measures recommended by the banks. On the other hand, enterprises that do not have developed business models do not succumb to the bank's influence and co-operation with the bank is limited to a minimum; usually considering only account keeping and monetary settlements related to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurs perceive and build sustainable business models in different ways. The actual and declared entrepreneurs' attitudes and actions towards sustainable business models differ. The aim of the study was to determine whether the declarations of enterprises referring sustainable business models are coherent with actions they have taken to build sustainable business models. The basis of the study was data collected during focus interviews conducted in 2019 among business owners or their financial directors. The survey involved 60 respondents representing enterprises, including 34 referred to as micro and small enterprises, 17 medium enterprises, and 9 large enterprises. The study used the development pattern method described by Z. Hellwig. As a result of the study, four typological groups of enterprises were obtained, the first being the best and closest benchmark, and the fourth being the worst and the most distant from the benchmark. As a result of the study, it was confirmed that enterprises that declare a sustainable business model are more likely to undertake social and environmental activities than enterprises that delineate that they do not implement such a model. However, this is not a general conclusion, because in the fourth typological group, in which sustainability activities were sporadically identified, no enterprises declared a sustainable business model, and vice versa, in the first typological group, one company declared that they did not have a sustainable business model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent technological advances have enabled the emergence of novel business models based on platforms. This paper aims to contribute to design platforms of business process (BP), by studying the new and specific context of platform to improve the model of platform technology for creating automated system (AS) for BP. Our approach is provides an algorithm to build such a component and enrich future systems. A specific objective is to elicit detailed platform's requirements and features for this particular context. The structure recommendations are determined for business process can bolster various sorts of generative instruments of social communication: data sharing, combination, and aggregate activity. The knowledge generated in this study extends the limits of automated planning of business process, adds more scientific thoroughness for AS with regards to business process the executives and adds to control stream design hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, ridesharing business is steadily growing and has started to receive attention also by public transport operators. With future fleets of Autonomous Vehicles, new business models connecting schedule-based public transport and feeder fleets might become a feasible transport mode. However, such fleets require a good management to warrant a high level of service. One of the key aspects of this is proactive vehicle rebalancing based on the expected demand for trips. In this paper we model vehicle rebalancing as the Dynamic Transportation Problem. Results suggest that waiting times can be cut by around 30 % without increasing the overall vehicle miles travelled for a feeder fleet in rural Switzerland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models transformation is the most important principle in MDA (model driven architecture).Indeed, two transformation kinds are possible in MDA: CIM (computing independent model) to PIM (platform independent model) and PIM to PSM (platform specific model). Most researchers deal with the transformation from PIM to PSM, since several elements are shared between these two levels. However, CIM to PIM transformation is rarely highlighted in research topics since they are two radically different levels. However an approach that ensures a transformation from CIM to PIM up to PSM almost extinct. Indeed, this paper represents a methodology to master model transformation from CIM to PIM up to PSM into MDA. This methodology is instituted on creating a rich CIM, through well-chosen rules, to facilitate transformation to the PIM. However, we establish a good PIM, taking into consideration the three classic modeling views: functional, dynamic and static to expedite transformation to PSM. Our methodology conforms to MDA by respecting the business dimension in CIM, by using BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) which is the OMG (Object Management Group) standard for modeling business process. Thereby, we used UML (Unified Modeling Language) models in PIM level, because UML is recommended by MDA in this level. Indeed, we use IFML (Interaction Flow Modeling Language) that is OMG standard for representing web interface model in PSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]