Business models and E-services: An ontological approach in a cross-border environment

Abstract

In business practice and in scientific research business models seem to have caught much attention as this phenomenon has been investigated by many disciplines, with different objectives and point of views. Researchers' general opinion on business models is based on value and information technology in an organization or a set of linked ones. Anyhow, a common agreed theoretical background and even a shared definition of business models are still missing. In this paper we will analyse the relevant literature on business models to increase understanding on this topic and identify future research directions. By discussing results of this analysis we will introduce an action research study on business models in cross-border e-services environment. © 2008 Physica-Verlag Heidelberg.