Introduction

The concept of business models is relevant for all organisations. A business model tells a story of the business, focusing attention on how the pieces of the business fit together; with the strategic component of the model describing how the organisation differentiates itself in its approach to customers, partners and competition. The technological perspective is often the dominant one because of the perception of the Internet as a technological application, one that has brought about irreversible changes in the world and in the way businesses function. Organisations need business models that are appropriate for the network economy. Aside from developing new business models, many organisations require a change of culture in order to profit from the opportunities of the Internet. The sociological perspective considers general societal trends that lead or contribute to new business models. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.