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Digital Business Models in Network Management
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Digital Business Models in Network Management

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 118617

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Adam Jabłoński

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
WSB Merito University in Poznań, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 5, Poznan, Poland
Interests: business models; strategic management; sustainable business; performance management; social and digital economy; railway transport
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The digital economy creates new conditions for creating entrepreneurial solutions. Technology determines the emergence of innovative business models, the existence of which would not be possible without the potential of such technologies. The unlimited ingenuity of contemporary entrepreneurs is currently focused on the search for innovative solutions in the sphere of using the opportunities offered by digital technology. Previous solutions that use the traditional channels of economic activity are replaced with proposals stemming from resources based on the Internet and information and communication technologies. This gives one an opportunity to design business initiatives whose impact, in many cases, allows one to reach a level of global impact in a short time. The economics of the digital economy are the factors that stimulate the emergence of business models in the digital economy. These include ideas such as the sharing economy, the remix economy, the access economy, the creative economy, the reputation economy, the gift economy, the experience economy, the collaborative economy/wikinomics, and the trust economy.

The concepts presented have had a key impact on the profound changes not only in business but also in particular in society in terms of a new approach to understanding business and work processes. Building communities based on communication platforms also allows for their commercialization and capitalization, while creating opportunities to obtain desired environmental, economic, and social effects. It should be noted that the development of new paradigms in the science of management and economics results from transformations in the global economy, where ideas and concepts arise in various places, often thanks to global access to information and knowledge through technological, Internet-based platforms. This is the most crucial assumption of this Special Issue.

This Issue requires extensive research and analysis.

On the basis of the above-mentioned assumptions, the key issues to answer are the following:

  1. What is the best way to understand digitalization in the context of business models?
  2. What is the best way to build and operationalize digital business models?
  3. What is the best way to use new concepts of the economy to build effective business models?
  4. What is the best way to use the network approach to build digital business models?
  5. What is the best way to achieve the network effect for building effective digital business models?
  6. What is the best way to manage communities in digital business models created?
  7. What is the best way to implement the sustainability concept in digital business models?
  8. What is the best way to build digital models of sustainable business?

References:

  1. F. Vendrell-Herrero, G. Parry, O. F. Bustinza, E. Gomes, Digital business models: Taxonomy and future research avenues, Strategic Change. 2018;27(2).
  2. K. Lenkenhoff, U. Wilkens, M. Zheng, T. Süße, B. Kuhlenkötter, X. Mi, Key challenges of digital business ecosystem development and how to cope with them, Procedia CIRP 73, 2018.
  3. K.Tauscher, S.M. Laudien, Understanding platform business models: A mixed methods study of marketplaces, European Management Journal 36 (2018).
  4. F. Li, The digital transformation of business models in the creative industries: A holistic framework and emerging trends, Technovation (2017), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2017.12.004.

Assoc. Prof. Adam Jabłoński
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Digital Economy
  • Business Model
  • Digital Business Model
  • Network Management
  • sustainability management
  • sustainable business model
  • sharing economy
  • remix economy
  • access economy
  • creative economy
  • reputation economy
  • gift economy
  • experience economy
  • wikinomics
  • trust economy

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 5101 KiB  
Article
A Fuzzy-Based Application for Marketing 4.0 Brand Perception in the COVID-19 Process
by Ozge Yasar and Tulay Korkusuz Polat
Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16407; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416407 - 8 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2732
Abstract
One main point distinguishing Marketing 4.0 from other marketing approaches is the “customer”. Marketing 4.0 focuses on “act” and “advocacy” within the 5A (aware, appeal, ask, act, and advocate) customer path. In Marketing 4.0, advocacy is as important as the purchase of customers. [...] Read more.
One main point distinguishing Marketing 4.0 from other marketing approaches is the “customer”. Marketing 4.0 focuses on “act” and “advocacy” within the 5A (aware, appeal, ask, act, and advocate) customer path. In Marketing 4.0, advocacy is as important as the purchase of customers. In order to have good competitive power in the digital world, and to follow and guide their digital customers, brands need to determine their marketing strategies by considering the 5A customer path, in which there may be touchpoints where brands can intervene. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant decrease in the incomes of consumers due to the closure of businesses and/or personnel dismissals. With this decrease in income, consumer purchasing habits have changed. For this reason, many companies have started studies to explore how to increase customer loyalty. This study aimed to understand how the marketing process and brand loyalty of a company operating in the cleaning products category were affected before and during the pandemic and to identify weak touchpoints in the customer path by developing a 5A customer path model based on fuzzy logic. The study also aimed to monitor customer purchasing and brand advocacy rates during the pandemic and detect the problematic touchpoints on the 5A customer path. The main contribution of this study to practitioners and brand strategy managers is that it brings a different dimension to the field of Marketing 4.0 applications with a fuzzy logic approach. In this study, a rule-based fuzzy logic application was used for the first time to identify the deficiencies in the 5A customer path. With the fuzzy logic approach, an artificial intelligence technology, failure points on the 5A customer path can be known in advance, and brand managers will be able to determine appropriate strategies to increase the advocacy of their brands and take precautions where necessary. Brand managers can periodically collect customer data and use fuzzy logic to identify and eliminate 5A customer path disruptions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Business Models in Network Management)
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20 pages, 854 KiB  
Article
Business Models 4.0 Using Network Effects: Case Study of the Cyfrowy Polsat Group
by Jerzy Niemczyk, Rafał Trzaska, Maciej Wilczyński and Kamil Borowski
Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 11570; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111570 - 20 Oct 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3058
Abstract
The aim of the research, the results of which are presented in the article, is to discover new knowledge allowing for the description and design of business models 4.0 using network effects. In their research, the authors reviewed the literature, carried out desk [...] Read more.
The aim of the research, the results of which are presented in the article, is to discover new knowledge allowing for the description and design of business models 4.0 using network effects. In their research, the authors reviewed the literature, carried out desk research and conducted an analysis of publicly available documents of selected companies from the Cyfrowy Polsat Group. The results of the study present the possibility of using the network effect in business models 4.0. The paper develops a framework for business model analysis from the perspective of Industry 4.0. The presented research will allow for an indication of the possibility of using a business model from the perspective of Industry 4.0, based on the theory of the network effect in building the value of network organizations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Business Models in Network Management)
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20 pages, 10970 KiB  
Article
Influential Factors of Network Changes: Dynamic Network Ties and Sustainable Startup Embeddedness
by Julia Keidel, Peter M. Bican and Frederik J. Riar
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6184; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116184 - 31 May 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3773
Abstract
This research investigated influential factors on changes in networks of startups through a qualitative exploratory case study approach. Based on interviews with founders in Germany and selected stakeholders in entrepreneurial networks combined with a network mapping approach, we developed a framework of influential [...] Read more.
This research investigated influential factors on changes in networks of startups through a qualitative exploratory case study approach. Based on interviews with founders in Germany and selected stakeholders in entrepreneurial networks combined with a network mapping approach, we developed a framework of influential factors on network changes. In essence, this framework categorizes factors into sustainable resource acquisition, knowledge and skill acquisition, interpersonal factors, and interorganizational factors. Overall, our research contributes to a better understanding of factors that impact network changes by providing a construct with potential for theoretical standardization. In addition, this research offers important managerial implications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Business Models in Network Management)
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22 pages, 979 KiB  
Article
Success Factors and Sustainability of the K-Pop Industry: A Structural Equation Model and Fuzzy Set Analysis
by Joon-ho Kim, Seung-hye Jung, Jung-sik Roh and Hyun-ju Choi
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 5927; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13115927 - 24 May 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 20562
Abstract
As the popularity of K-pop grows, the industry is contributing to the positive perceptions of South Korea’s overall national brand value. This has led to it being considered a strategic industry worth cultivating. However, many people are unsure of its sustainability. To address [...] Read more.
As the popularity of K-pop grows, the industry is contributing to the positive perceptions of South Korea’s overall national brand value. This has led to it being considered a strategic industry worth cultivating. However, many people are unsure of its sustainability. To address this, our study investigates the factors that are key to the industry’s success—K-pop industry success factors—and their relationship with sustainability (SNS citizenship behavior and tourist behavioral intention). The study surveyed 1247 global viewers (eight countries) who listen to K-pop via TV, radio, and the Internet, watch K-pop videos on YouTube, and search information related to K-pop on SNS. The collected data were analyzed using two statistical techniques: structural equation model (SEM) analysis and fuzzy set-quality comparative analysis (fsQCA). (1) According to the SEM analysis, of the K-pop success factors, three factors demonstrated a statistically significant positive influence on SNS citizenship behavior: casting, producing/promotion, and content. (2) SNS citizenship behavior showed a statistically significant positive influence on tourist behavioral intention. (3) According to the fsQCA results, casting, training, social media, content, and SNS citizenship behavior were commonly derived at least three times, indicating that these are key factors impacting tourist behavioral intention. (4) In summary, results confirmed that, with the exception of producers, the five K-pop success factors, casting, training, producing/promotion, social media, and content, are crucial to sustainability and to increasing tourist behavioral intention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Business Models in Network Management)
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20 pages, 342 KiB  
Article
Digitalisation of Creative Industries Fostered by Collaborative Governance: Public Innovation Labs in Gipuzkoa
by Alfonso Unceta, Xabier Barandiaran and Asier Lakidain
Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2568; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052568 - 27 Feb 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3887
Abstract
This article analyses the promotion of digitalisation in the creative economy through collaborative governance in the province of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain). In order to understand this initiative, two public innovation labs located in San Sebastian that influence audiovisual production in Basque and [...] Read more.
This article analyses the promotion of digitalisation in the creative economy through collaborative governance in the province of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain). In order to understand this initiative, two public innovation labs located in San Sebastian that influence audiovisual production in Basque and digital gastronomy, respectively, are used as case studies: 2deo–Basque Language Audiovisual Lab and LABe–Digital Gastronomy Lab. Based on sectoral contexts of fragmentation, public and private efforts to consolidate synergies and accelerate processes for the coordination of value chains, attraction of talent, experimentation, and innovation. The analysis has relied on qualitative methodologies, consisting of interviews with key actors and desk research. The results show the implications of a sub-regional collaborative governance model as a means to contribute to a regional Smart Specialisation Strategy. Although the initiative faces a consolidation process, public innovation labs in Gipuzkoa foster sectoral articulation and digitalisation in gastronomy and audiovisual production in the Basque language. Additionally, the acceleration of innovation and the involvement of quadruple helix agents in management tasks have been explored. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Business Models in Network Management)
17 pages, 980 KiB  
Article
Influence of Social Media Usage on the Green Product Innovation of Manufacturing Firms through Environmental Collaboration
by Norhuda Salim, Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman, Dzuraidah Abd Wahab and Ariff Azly Muhamed
Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8685; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208685 - 20 Oct 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3682
Abstract
Firms are finding it increasingly important to leverage social media to facilitate knowledge access, get valuable feedback, and improve innovations to cater for emerging markets. However, using social media without integrating other key factors does not seem to add value to innovation efforts. [...] Read more.
Firms are finding it increasingly important to leverage social media to facilitate knowledge access, get valuable feedback, and improve innovations to cater for emerging markets. However, using social media without integrating other key factors does not seem to add value to innovation efforts. Therefore, this study investigates the potential of social media usage (SMU) in enhancing green product innovation (GPI) and how two types of environmental collaboration may affect that relationship, which is a subject that has been under-explored. First, the literature on the expansion of the use of social media in enhancing GPI was reviewed to develop the theoretical framework and hypotheses. Then, data collected from 211 manufacturing firms were analysed using structural equation modelling to examine the proposed relationship. The results revealed that SMU does not directly influence GPI. Rather, internal environmental collaboration (IEC) and environmental collaboration with suppliers (ECS) fully mediate the relationship between SMU and GPI. The results further disclosed a positive relationship between IEC and ECS, where both types of environmental collaboration seem to be key factors in improving GPI. Hence, this study highlights the importance of knowledge sharing through environmental collaborations for the generation of ideas to improve products in order to remain competitive in the market. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Business Models in Network Management)
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16 pages, 648 KiB  
Article
The Digital Transformation of the Korean Music Industry and the Global Emergence of K-Pop
by Jimmyn Parc and Shin Dong Kim
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7790; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187790 - 21 Sep 2020
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 31529
Abstract
There are a number of voices who blame digitization for having a number of negative effects on the music industry including a decline in album sales, copyright infringement, unfair royalty payments, and competition with foreign multinationals. Yet, the global emergence of Korean pop [...] Read more.
There are a number of voices who blame digitization for having a number of negative effects on the music industry including a decline in album sales, copyright infringement, unfair royalty payments, and competition with foreign multinationals. Yet, the global emergence of Korean pop music or K-pop suggests a different narrative, particularly given that its growth was largely unexpected among industry experts. Understanding the key to its international breakthrough can thus produce meaningful lessons for the music industries of other countries for their own further take-off. This constitutes the focus for this paper. Digitization has influenced various sectors of the Korean music industry such as business, society, and consumers. It has also transformed the management focus of the industry from analog to digital, from offline to online, from albums to songs, from specialization to integration, from domestic providers to international suppliers, from audio sound to visual images, from possessing to accessing, and from limited integration to synergistic network. This signifies that embracing technology advancement can enhance the competitiveness of cultural industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Business Models in Network Management)
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15 pages, 1297 KiB  
Article
Digital Business Model, Digital Transformation, Digital Entrepreneurship: Is There A Sustainable “Digital”?
by Peter M. Bican and Alexander Brem
Sustainability 2020, 12(13), 5239; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135239 - 28 Jun 2020
Cited by 217 | Viewed by 39993
Abstract
Digitalization plays a major role in contributing towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Without transformation of existing businesses, both economic and environmental challenges of the future cannot be solved sustainably. However, there is much confusion on interrelationships and terms dealing with digitization [...] Read more.
Digitalization plays a major role in contributing towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Without transformation of existing businesses, both economic and environmental challenges of the future cannot be solved sustainably. However, there is much confusion on interrelationships and terms dealing with digitization or digitalization: Digital business model, digital transformation, digital entrepreneurship. How do these terms interrelate with and to digitalization, and how do they support firms to grow sustainably? To answer this question, we identified seven core digital-related terms based on a structured literature search within the management and economics domain, namely: Digital, Business Model, Digital Business Model, Digital Technology, Digital Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Digital Entrepreneurship. Thereafter, we analyzed prior literature for deriving a common understanding and definition as a basis for interrelations within a conceptual framework. Definitions were presented in a case study setup with twelve innovation and research and development (R&D) managers from various business units of a German high-tech company. Based on these insights, we propose a conceptual framework on how Digital Readiness, Digital Technology, and Digital Business Models might sustainably relate to Innovation, moderated by a Digital Transformation Process. With this approach, we aim to equip practitioners and researchers alike in handling and addressing change through digitalization sustainably. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Business Models in Network Management)
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Review

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21 pages, 3353 KiB  
Review
A Bibliometric Analysis of Enterprise Social Media in Digital Economy: Research Hotspots and Trends
by Wen Zhang, Yuting Yang and Huigang Liang
Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12545; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612545 - 18 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2339
Abstract
With the rise of the digital economy, new business models have expedited the progress of corporate digital transformation. The mobile internet era has made enterprise social media a popular tool for employee communication. Summarizing the development and trends of enterprise social media research [...] Read more.
With the rise of the digital economy, new business models have expedited the progress of corporate digital transformation. The mobile internet era has made enterprise social media a popular tool for employee communication. Summarizing the development and trends of enterprise social media research is beneficial for identifying future research topics. This paper analyzes the literature from the Web of Science core collection database and employs CiteSpace software to develop a scientific knowledge map, providing a visual analysis of the literature on enterprise social media in the context of the digital economy. The paper presents the research hotspots and evolutionary paths of enterprise social media, thereby clarifying the future development trends in this field. The study reveals that there is a relatively limited amount of literature on this topic, and collaboration among authors is not strong. Most research is conducted by higher education institutions in China and the United States. The research hotspots revolve around the theme of enterprise social media, covering topics such as knowledge sharing, communication, and performance. The research themes have undergone a transition from singularity to diversity. Finally, this paper proposes future research prospects in three areas: the human–computer collaborative model against the backdrop of artificial intelligence, user privacy disclosure and protection, and the impact of enterprise social media usage on the mental and physical health of employees. These prospects aim to provide valuable insights for subsequent research endeavors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Business Models in Network Management)
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15 pages, 718 KiB  
Review
Sharing-Economy Ecosystem: A Comprehensive Review and Future Research Directions
by Samar Abdalla, Joseph Amankwah-Amoah and Amgad Badewi
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2145; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032145 - 23 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3428
Abstract
This research study reviews the literature on the participants in the sharing economy (SE) ecosystem and its impact on the participants, creating and capturing value through increasing the understanding of the ecosystem’s novel models. The review classifies the participants in the SE ecosystem [...] Read more.
This research study reviews the literature on the participants in the sharing economy (SE) ecosystem and its impact on the participants, creating and capturing value through increasing the understanding of the ecosystem’s novel models. The review classifies the participants in the SE ecosystem into primary and secondary participants. The classification is based on the connection to the core network/ecosystem and the role of the participants in the ecosystem. The primary participants are subdivided into groups: customers are subdivided into New Customers (NC) and Current Customers (CC); providers into Product Providers (PP) and Service Providers (SP); and mediators are subdivided into Small and Medium Mediators (SMM) and Large Mediators (LM). The secondary participants are governments sub-grouped into Local Governments (NG) and National Governments (NG); Theories and methodologies within the academic literature on the sharing economy ecosystem are also examined. The study also analyses the influence of digital sharing and explores the value of digital technologies in management strategies and the value of the integration between participants of SE businesses. Recommended future research directions are outlined according to the conducted review. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Business Models in Network Management)
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