E-Business Modeling

Abstract

This chapter introduces a meta-method for e-business modeling. As a matter of fact, the Internet and Web-based e-business solutions nowadays play a crucial enabling role for the design and implementation of new business models. This implies high chances, but also remarkable risks for enterprises that choose to pursue a new business model striving to exploit new technology potentials. In fact, the implementation of a strategically not appropriate business model would critically undermine the long-term success of a company. Hence there is a clear need for action in the field of methodical business modeling. We present a new approach for a customer-oriented e-business modeling, with specific attention on inter-organizational cooperative networks and re-intermediation, as well as on information management within distributed manufacturing networks. The approach has been validated in the case of the information service intermediary of a collaboration network in the German manufacturing industry.