Title: Enhancing e-commerce business models of selected SMEs by a multi-mode approach

Authors: Jannicke Baalsrud Hauge, Karl A. Hribernik, Jens Schumacher

Addresses: Bremen Institute of Industrial Technology and Applied Work Sciences at the Universitat Bremen, Germany. ' Bremen Institute of Industrial Technology and Applied Work Sciences at the Universitat Bremen, Germany. ' Bremen Institute of Industrial Technology and Applied Work Sciences at the Universitat Bremen, Germany

Abstract: Despite the recent developments of electronic market places, SMEs still need an affordable, integrated set of web tools to take advantage of the new ways of doing business in the e-commerce environment. This paper has the intention to show how added value can be provided to SMEs who offer extended products to their customers by extending their present e-commerce business models. The idea will be based on the European IST project SMARTISAN (Smart Artisan), which is developing a generic XML-based e-business solution, in which the developed services are piloted in several test situations including various SMEs from different sectors. In general, the project intends to contribute to the evolution of digital business trends for SMEs, micro-companies and individual professionals, with the aim of providing a framework for electronic commerce implementation, as well as a roadmap to guide SMEs to understanding and selecting the methodologies, tools and architecture required to implement a successful digital business strategy. However, this paper will not primarily deal with the generic e-commerce solution itself, moreover, we will focus on the innovative business concept which evolves from the idea of extended products, enriching customer services, whilst enhancing Multi-Mode Commerce within the SMEs| business environments.

Keywords: business modelling; process restructuring; XML-based e-business solution; e-commerce; SMEs; digital business strategy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIEM.2004.004934

International Journal of Internet and Enterprise Management, 2004 Vol.2 No.2, pp.119 - 138

Published online: 26 Jul 2004 *

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