Strategic Positioning of Location Applications for Geo-Business

Abstract

The chapter presents several conceptual models, each of which can be used to improve our understanding of whether spatially enabled virtual business is appropriate or not. The first model, the Net-Enablement Business Innovation Cycle (NEBIC), modified from Wheeler (2002), consists of the steps of identifying appropriate net technologies, matching them with economic opportunities, executing business innovations internally, and taking the innovation to the external market. The process consumes time and resources, and depends on organizational learning feedback. The second model, modified from Choi et al. (1997), classifies geo-business applications in three dimensions, consisting of virtual products, processes and agents. Each dimension has three categories: physical, digital, and virtual. The chapter discusses examples of spatially enabled applications that fall into certain cells of this model. The model is helpful in seeing both the potential and limitations for net-enabled applications. The final model classifies spatially enabled applications by operational, managerial, and individual levels. Examples are given that demonstrate spatial applications at each level.