A business model basically describes the way a company makes money. Yet often we use digital
services for free (e.g. Facebook Google or WhatsApp) or for what seems to be a relatively
minor price (e.g. Blablacar Airbnb and Amazon). Digital business models are different to
traditional business models. Digital Business Models explains the key challenges and
characteristics of the various business models that are used by digital businesses. These
companies can be a source of inspiration for traditional bricks-and-mortar companies that aim
to go digital and or revamp their traditional business model. Most businesses rely on some form
of digital technology for their marketing communication customer relationship management
supply chain or distribution yet digital transformation entails a complete reassessment of the
way value is created and captured. Digital Business Models details the successful customer
acquisition tactics and the development of business ecosystems by digital players. Using the
relevant academic and managerial body of knowledge the authors define the concepts describe
the various ways digital businesses create and capture value and propose some useful tools for
managers to analyse a situation formulate or implement a strategy. Different digital business
types are evaluated such as multisided platforms digital merchants subscription-based model
freemium social media and sharing economy. Each chapter is illustrated with several examples
and the appendix comprises four full-length case studies.
