Business Models for E-Commerce

Abstract

Electronic commerce over the Internet may be either strategic investment option to traditional business or represent a whole new line of business. In either case, in view of the new features of the Internet, critical questions to be answered include (a) Business model(s) for E-commerce as a strategic investment option (b) Business model(s) for E-commerce as a new line of businessThis paper addresses both by providing a framework for the classification of Internet electronic commerce business models. This framework has been developed on the basis of current commercial Internet business and traditional business practices in India. There are no standard models available for an existing business to leverage the benefits of e-commerce to enhance the business capabilities. This paper gives guidelines for an existing business to leverage such technological advancements.