Traditional Business Research Articles

How can manufacturers identify the conditions for financially viable product-as-a-service?

IntroductionWith the much-needed transformation from linear to more circular resource flows, it is imperative for enterprises to understand their financial prospects. Transforming towards Product-as-a-Service (PaaS) with circular elements introduces new considerations that must be addressed to ensure profitability and sustainability. However, there is a lack of comprehensive financial assessments based on empirical cases to guide companies in assessing the lucrativeness of their transformations. This paper addresses this gap by proposing a simple-to-use and flexible financial assessment model for PaaS, helping practitioners identify the conditions necessary for financial viability from both provider and user perspectives.MethodsGrounded in transdisciplinary research, this study focuses on a construction machine manufacturer's transformation from a traditional one-off sales business model to PaaS. The transformation is analysed through the development of a life cycle costing financial assessment model that addresses relevant cost drivers.ResultsUsing discounting methods, the model can help practitioners generate scenarios to identify feasible solutions for profitable PaaS setups. Additionally, the paper presents an analytical procedure to identify conditions for a financially viable PaaS. The procedure includes scenario-based analysis that accounts for systemic changes often necessary for successfully realising PaaS.DiscussionBy following the proposed procedure, along with the financial assessment model, manufacturers can streamline their financial assessments to identify necessary changes. For the analysed case company, the modelling results indicate that it must redesign its products for PaaS to outperform its previous business model.

Consumer Feedback Sentiment Classification Improved Via Modified Metaheuristic Optimization Natural Language Processing

This study investigates the synergy between the virtual and real-world economies through e-commerce, where seller reputation is critical in guiding consumer decisions. As traditional businesses shift towards online retail, user reviews become essential, offering feedback to both sellers and potential buyers. Sentiment analysis through machine learning (ML) techniques presents significant advantages for consumers and retailers alike. This research proposes a novel approach combining bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) embeddings with an optimized XGBoost classification model to enhance sentiment analysis performance. A modified metaheuristic algorithm, derived from the firefly algorithm (FA), is introduced to optimize the model. Testing on publicly available datasets demonstrates that models optimized by this algorithm achieved a peak accuracy of .881336. Further statistical analyses substantiate these improvements, and SHAP interpretation on the best-performing model identifies key features impacting model predictions, shedding light on factors driving customer sentiment insights.

Enhancing and Explaining Energy Management in Smart Manufacturing Production via ML Within the Context of Industry 4.0

Objective: The aim of this research is to identify the main barriers faced by managers and practitioners in the implementation of KM initiatives in the context of Chilean organisations and to describe the ways in which these problems are addressed by them. Theoretical Framework: This research addresses the organisational, political, social and cultural barriers faced by KM initiatives in developing country contexts. Method: This study was based on the review of twenty-six cases of knowledge management initiatives implemented between 2010 and 2022 in Chile, which were described and analysed using qualitative methodology Results and Discussion: It was found that the most important barriers to carrying out these initiatives coincide, to a large extent, with some of the characteristics of Chilean culture and society described in the literature of organisational studies, such as: lack of trust; large power distance in the organisational structure; lack of communication skills; paternalistic organisational culture, to mention a few. Also, one aspect worth highlighting is the traditional business culture that tends to focus on a "low cost" strategy and exploitation of raw materials, rather than investing in innovation. Scarce resources, problematic performance measurement and lack of knowledge management training for employees and managers were also mentioned as adverse factors. Research Implications: The relevance of this study lies in the fact that it provides insight into the main barriers faced by knowledge management initiatives in developing countries, specifically in a region such as Latin America, thus contributing to the development of this field in this region. Originality/Value: It is known that many of the new initiatives in the field of KM do not thrive or face difficult start-up challenges, limiting the number of successful initiatives in this country. This study contributes to a better understanding of the problems faced by managers carrying out KM initiatives, thus enabling them to develop better strategies and solutions for the implementation of KM projects.

Value capture for nonprofits. The case of museums’ new business models

Utilizing a framework of innovation categories adapted from the private sector, this article sheds light on both the creation and capture of consumer value within the context of nonprofit organizations, specifically museums. With government budget cuts increasingly straining museums’ core resources, there is an urgent need to reassess their traditional business models. While museums have historically focused on innovation for value creation, opportunities for value capture remain underexplored. This study aims to elucidate the opportunities and constraints surrounding the evolution of nonprofit business strategies, offering insights into how museums can navigate the challenges posed by shrinking resources. By encouraging a shift toward unconventional thinking, we propose that nonprofits can discover new pathways to sustainability and resilience in the face of financial adversity.

A new branch-and-cut approach for integrated planning in additive manufacturing

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the transformative potential of additive manufacturing (AM) since it allows for producing highly customizable and complex components while reducing lead times and costs. The rise of AM for traditional and new business models enforces the need for efficient planning procedures for AM facilities. In this area, the assignment and sequencing of components to be built by an AM machine, also called a 3D printer, is a complex challenge combining two combinatorial problems: The first decision involves the grouping of parts into production batches, akin to the well-known bin packing problem. Subsequently, the second problem pertains to the scheduling of these batches onto the available machines, which corresponds to a parallel machine scheduling problem. For minimizing makespan, this paper proposes a new branch-and-cut algorithm for integrated planning for unrelated parallel machines. The algorithm is based on combinatorial Benders decomposition: The scheduling problem is considered in the master problem, while the feasibility of an obtained solution with respect to the packing problem is checked in the sub-problem. Current state-of-the-art techniques are extended to solve the orthogonal packing with rotation and used to speed up the solution of the sub-problem. Extensive computational tests on existing and new benchmark instances show the algorithm’s superior performance, improving the makespan by 18.7% on average, with improvements reaching up to 97.6% for large problems compared to an existing integrated mixed-integer programming model.

President’s Column: SPE Finances

_ Editor’s Note: The November edition is a written column only, with the vodcast set to resume next month. _ SPE finances are not the most interesting or exciting topic for most members, and you will be forgiven if you pass this column. You may not be interested at all if you only want to know what SPE does. However, you may be interested in this column to understand how SPE functions financially. SPE is not a commercial business, but it has an events business that de facto finances most of its other services to members—direct membership fees are a relatively small part of SPE’s revenue. In the current model, if the events business fails, SPE collapses. Finances are always important, but they have become critical in the current context, including the 2015 downturn and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, especially the latter, which have brought an existential threat to our Society. As shown in Fig. 1, between 2014 and 2023, we lost 65% of our revenue, 200% of our profit (Net Operating Income), and 50% of our net assets. Even last year, 3 years after the pandemic, we still had an operational deficit of $3.6 million, and this was expected to be a “good year” with Offshore Europe and two Offshore Technology Conference events. Operationally, we are still hemorrhaging money. SPE’s finances are public, but I thought it would be good to present this information in plain English and with illustrative graphs to explain how we operate financially and how SPE can prevail while its traditional business model is being challenged. I have occasionally heard and read severe statements about SPE’s financial management, allusions to staff being oversized and overpaid, our lack of willingness to adapt, etc. So, it is also a good opportunity to clear up some of these misunderstandings. Conventions and Definitions Until 2024, SPE’s fiscal year (FY) started in April and ended in March. For example, FY24 started on 1 April 2023 and ended on 31 March 2024. This has recently changed and will be explained below. The numbers presented in this document are consolidated in USD (SPE has several offices handling different currencies) and corrected for US inflation using factors listed in Fig. 2. The reference is the USD from the middle of FY24, i.e., October 2023. One important result to gauge our operational results is our Net Operating Income (NOI), which would be equivalent to profit if SPE were a commercial venture.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE DIGITAL ENTERPRISES IN THE ERA OF TRANSFORMATIONAL ECONOMIC CHANGES

The objective of this article is to examine the role of digital transformation processes in enhancing competitive advantages and accelerating economic growth. The objective is to demonstrate how the utilisation of digital technologies and the fulfilment of external environment requirements facilitate the innovation of products and services. The methodology entails an examination of the concept of digital transformation within the context of Ukraine's economy. This encompasses an investigation of the integration of production and distribution factors, an evaluation of the potential of digital enterprises, and the formulation of a model for the transformation of enterprises into innovative business entities. The findings indicate that digital transformation is a crucial factor in attaining competitive advantages and stimulating economic growth. The study identifies digital enterprises, equipped with end-to-end digital technologies and services, as a crucial factor in the implementation of effective digital changes. Furthermore, it offers a model for the transformation of traditional businesses into digital enterprises. The practical implications of this study are that businesses must address the barriers to digital change in order to achieve qualitative transformations. The findings indicate that the systematic overcoming of these barriers can facilitate successful digital transformations, which can enhance business performance and innovation. The article's value lies in its contribution to the understanding of how digital transformation can be integrated into business operations in a systematic manner, with a view to fostering innovation and growth. The study's originality lies in its proposal of a model for enterprise transformation and its identification of key barriers and strategies for effective digital change, tailored specifically to the Ukrainian economic context.

Transformation of e-commerce business models in the digital economy

Purpose. Research on the transformation of e-commerce business models in the conditions of the digital economy, analysis of the main directions of changes in business processes, as well as the determination of key differences between Internet commerce, e-commerce and online commerce, substantiation of the difference in the sources of generation of added value and identification of the factors that facilitate the transition from traditional e-commerce business models to digital ones. Methodology. When conducting the research, the trends of the development of electronic commerce and the factors contributing to their transformation in the conditions of the digital economy were revealed by the method of formal analysis. Findings. This study presents an analysis of trends and factors affecting the development of digital commerce and the transformation of digital commerce business models. The directions of integration of digital technologies into business processes and strategic aspects of the implementation of digital solutions into business practice are substantiated. The key factors that contribute to the transformation of e-commerce business models into digital commerce business models are identified, in particular, in the creation and implementation of new business models that allow for effective adaptation to the conditions of the digital economy. It is found that the economic basis of transformations of business models is the sources of creation of added value. It has been proven that digital technologies, which form the basis of e-business, are carriers and main sources of added value creation, which is reflected in business monetization models. The impact of artificial intelligence on the prospects and further development of digital commerce business models is analyzed. Originality. The scientific novelty obtained as a result of this research consists in the definition and substantiation of a new factor – added value, which is the main factor influencing the transformation of e-commerce business models into a digital commerce business model, which takes place under the influence of the digital economy. The novelty of the obtained research results in terms of substantiation of added value as a factor of transformation is proven by confirming the hypothesis that the formation of e-commerce business models and their transformation into digital commerce models take place under the influence of digital sources of added value creation.

Factors Influencing the Career Advancement of Malaysian Women Homepreneurs on the TikTok Platform

Entrepreneurship significantly contributes to economic growth, with recent studies highlighting the rise of female entrepreneurs who challenge traditional business roles by becoming "homepreneurs." The current research focuses on Malaysian women homepreneurs using TikTok, a platform that has transformed from entertainment to a vital business tool, facilitating unique career advancement opportunities. This study aims to explore the impact of digital marketing skills, product quality, customer engagement, and understanding of TikTok's algorithm on the career advancement of Malaysian women homepreneurs. In the quantitative study focusing on the career advancement of Malaysian women homepreneurs using TikTok, the methodology incorporated structured questionnaires to assess the relationships between key variables. The data was collected from 400 participants via Google Forms, leveraging a purposive sampling technique to ensure a representative sample of women homepreneurs active on TikTok. The statistical analysis revealed that while digital marketing skills and customer engagement did not significantly impact career advancement on TikTok, a thorough understanding of the platform's algorithm was strongly associated with career progression. Conversely, the results indicate that product quality was negatively significant in driving career advancement for Malaysian women homepreneurs on TikTok. This study highlights the need for targeted strategies focusing on product excellence and deep comprehension of platform algorithms to effectively leverage TikTok for career development.

The role of platforms in the journalistic ecosystem: innovative business models of Italian media outlets

Increased dependence of the news media system on online platforms has caused a readjustment of the traditional business models that supported media enterprises until a few years ago, which in some cases has resulted in a redefinition of the boundaries of the journalistic field. To test the interplay between different strategies of relationship with platforms and a different location within the field, the paper considered four Italian news outlets. Two, Will Media Italia and Factanza, are newcomers, information projects anchored in the logic of online platforms and disseminated almost exclusively on social media. Two, The Post Internazionale and Domani, are inhabitants of the field, media outlets with greater links to the traditional logic of journalism. Through semi-structured interviews conducted with selected members of the four news media outlets, the study aims at answering two key-questions. First: what forms of revenue are the media outlets analyzed aiming for in order to maintain their economic sustainability? How do the characteristics of media outlets influence the use of different forms of advertising, even as a function of the response of the online and platform environments they inhabit, albeit with different strategies? Second-and closely related-how is it preserved, the editorial autonomy of the media outlets analyzed? That is, how do these media outlets attempt to make their business both economically sustainable and not overly dependent on forms of monetization generated by the platforms?

Pelatihan Peningkatan Kapasitas UMKM dan Kepariwisataan

On July 15, 2024, a community service activity was held in Kampung Dadap Timur with the topic "Training for Enhancing the Capacity of MSMEs and Tourism." The primary goal of this activity was to improve the skills and capacity of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and tourism destination management in the area. Initial observations identified fundamental needs in MSME management, budgeting for traditional food businesses, and applying the Sapta Pesona tourism concept. These findings served as the basis for designing relevant and targeted training materials. Preparations for the activity included intensive coordination among the service team to ensure the readiness of materials and equipment. Preparations also involved selecting and setting up the training venue, including audiovisual facilities and printed materials. The training covered: (1) MSME management strategies, including business planning, marketing, and product development; (2) budgeting techniques for traditional food MSMEs, including cost estimation, financial management, and pricing strategies; (3) application of the Sapta Pesona concept in tourism to enhance the quality of tourist experiences; and (4) practical sessions teaching how to make chicken dumplings and Es Kuwut. The training was designed to provide practical skills and in-depth knowledge to participants. Evaluation of the activity indicated that the training had a significant positive impact. Participants felt more confident and prepared in managing their businesses and tourism. However, the evaluation also identified some challenges, including the need for more specific case studies and ongoing support. It is recommended that future activities include follow-up sessions and more diverse training materials.

Evaluating the adoption barriers of circular business models in the Ghanaian construction industry

PurposeTo transition into a green/circular economy (CE), both academics and industrialists have undertaken research into various areas of circular business models (CBM), yet despite numerous studies conducted, the ensuing discourse contains scant information regarding the barriers to CBM adoption in the built environment. Therefore, this present study explores the critical barriers hindering the adoption of CBM in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI), establishing the criticality of the principal barriers identified.Design/methodology/approachThe mixed philosophies of interpretivism and postpositivism were adopted to deductively analyse primary data collected via a survey questionnaire. A comprehensive literature review was first conducted to identify the barriers of adopting CBM in the construction industry. Data gathered from professionals with knowledge of CBM and the green/CE were then analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential fuzzy synthetic evaluation.FindingsEmergent barriers to CBM adoption in the GCI were identified as institutional barriers (i.e. inadequate technology development and transfer, insufficient green incentives in the industry and lack of institutional framework that promote); proficiency barriers (i.e. lack of understanding of circular business models, inadequacy of expertise amongst construction professionals, unfamiliar techniques associated with circular business models and fear of greater investment cost) and cultural barriers (i.e. cultural reluctancy of clients to embrace circular urbanization, inadequate measurement tool, lack of a culture that encourages community engagement in environmental decision-making, inadequate performance information and database, lack of prior experience of stakeholders, inadequate government policies, low public awareness and lack of manufacturer and supplier support). The fuzzy synthetic analysis confirmed all the principal barriers as critical. These barriers had a respective criticality index of 3.66, 3.59 and 3.39. Evidently, the CBM adoption in the GCI faces major challenges and consequently, sector stakeholders must strategize their organizational undertakings to transition their traditional business models towards innovative circular ones.Originality/valueThis study provides a novel and thorough evaluation on the barriers to CBM adoption and establishes the criticality of the identified barriers. The study's findings offer essential direction to GCI stakeholders and policymakers to facilitate the shift towards a CE in accordance with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AS A TRIGGER FOR MODIFICATION OF DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AND BUSINESS MODELS OF COMPANIES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FORMATION OF GLOBAL DIGITAL PLATFORMS AND HYPERCOMPETITION

The article describes the problem that in the context of digital transformation enterprises, especially those with a traditional business model, face both great opportunities and challenges. The competition is intensifying, turning into hyper-competition, which implies the search for new tools to win customer loyalty and accelerate innovation processes. The article provides a generalization of adequate strategies for the development of enterprises based on the use of information technology, studying the effects of digital transformation on competition and on various forms of digital inequality at the micro and meso levels, including the background of the proliferation of global digital platforms. Digital transformation involves 3 stages - digitization, digitalization, digital transformation itself; it involves changes in enterprise strategies, organizational structure, information technology, supply chains, marketing, development of own digital platforms, market diversification, co-creation. For a successful digital transformation, companies need to build a fundamentally new set of assets, including IT infrastructure, Big Data, AI, IoT and blockchain, digital flexibility, digital network capabilities, cloud solutions, etc. Different types of companies have their own peculiarities of digital transformation. In a hypercompetitive environment, it is more difficult to maintain the company's performance trends due to the change in competition patterns to rivalry patterns, which are characterized by shorter product life cycles and an accelerated pace of innovation. This means that hypercompetition reduces the ability of firms to create sustainable competitive advantages, calling into question, if not the validity, then at least the usefulness of using a resource-based strategy. This thesis is especially important in the context of digital transformation, because it quickly depreciates the strategic assets of traditional companies. A global challenge for all businesses is the development of digital platforms that have evolved into global social and technical intermediaries and business organizations that not only connect users, but also provide the basic infrastructure for doing business. Their control over access to technology allows them to create global networks for the transfer of data and capital, controlling access to important resources, while strengthening their dominance through increased control over technology and data, which digital platforms turn into a key asset that drives the financialization process. Digital platforms are contributing to the globalization of competition between employees and governments and increasing hypercompetitive conditions, which is challenging companies with traditional business models to survive and grow, as the risks of massive bankruptcies increase, which in turn exacerbates digital inequality at both the micro and meso levels.

Strategic innovation in business models: Leveraging emerging technologies to gain a competitive advantage

This review paper critically examines the role of strategic innovation in business models, with a focus on how emerging technologies can be leveraged to gain a competitive advantage. By synthesizing existing literature, the paper explores the transformative potential of technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) on traditional and contemporary business models. The review identifies key patterns and trends in how businesses across various industries are integrating these technologies to enhance their value propositions, streamline operations, and create new revenue streams. The findings suggest that companies that successfully incorporate emerging technologies into their business models are better positioned to outpace competitors and adapt to the rapidly changing market landscape. The paper also discusses the challenges and barriers to technology adoption, such as high implementation costs, skill gaps, and organizational inertia, offering insights into strategies that can mitigate these obstacles. The paper underscores the importance of strategic innovation as a critical driver of sustained competitive advantage in the digital era. It highlights that leveraging emerging technologies is not merely an option but a strategic necessity for businesses aiming to thrive amidst ongoing technological disruption. By embracing these innovations, companies can significantly transform their business models, unlock new opportunities, and secure long-term success. Keywords: Business Model Innovation, Emerging Technologies, Sustainable Practices, Strategic Innovation, Partnerships, Open Innovation, Circular Economy, Organizational Agility, Continuous Improvement, Competitive Advantage, Digital Transformation, Market Adaptation, Technological Integration, Collaborative Innovation, Resilient Business Models.

Social entrepreneurship: an innovative tool for solving social problems in Ukraine

It is indicated that in the modern world, where social and environmental problems are becoming increasingly acute, social entrepreneurship appears as an innovative and effective tool for solving them. This phenomenon is at the intersection of business and charity, combining an entrepreneurial approach with a social mission. This article explores the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship as an innovative tool for addressing social and environmental challenges in the modern world. It examines the relevance of developing social entrepreneurship in the context of the UN’s global sustainable development goals and in conditions of limited state resources to meet growing social needs. The author analyzes the historical roots of social entrepreneurship, tracing its evolution from the 17th century to the present day. Special attention is given to the «Triple Bottom Line» concept (profit, people, planet), which underlies social entrepreneurship, and the ideas of Nobel laureate M. Yunus regarding «social business». The article discusses the key characteristics of social entrepreneurship that distinguish it from traditional business, and the principles of social enterprise operation. The author identifies three main models of social entrepreneurship: inclusive, social reinvestment, and innovative social model. Particular attention is paid to the legal aspect of social entrepreneurship in Ukraine, specifically the absence of a special organizational and legal form for such activities and the opportunities provided by current legislation. The author emphasizes the role of social entrepreneurship in the development of the economy and civil society, particularly in job creation, overcoming social isolation, and promoting civic participation. The categories of population for whom social entrepreneurship is especially relevant are considered. The conclusions highlight the potential of social entrepreneurship as a tool for achieving sustainable development and building a more inclusive society, as well as the need for further research in this field, especially in the context of post-COVID reality and the state of war in Ukraine.

Electronic commerce as a tool for implementation of the constitutional right to business activity

The scientific article examines the essence and development of e-commerce as a key element of the modern economy, which significantly changes traditional business models and creates new opportunities for entrepreneurs and consumers. The impact of information and communication technologies on economic development is analyzed and their decisive role in the implementation of electronic commerce is indicated. Several key innovations that have fueled the rapid growth of e-commerce are explored, namely: AI-powered personalization, omni-channel commerce across platforms, and the integration of secure electronic payments using emerging technologies such as blockchain. In addition to technological aspects, social and economic factors that contributed to the development of e-commerce are considered, including the COVID-19 pandemic, changing consumer habits and the growth of logistics companies. The article also covers the issue of legal regulation of electronic commerce, analyzing international legal acts. It is concluded that e-commerce is a complex phenomenon that includes not only trade transactions but also related business processes such as marketing, data processing and supply chain management. The need for further development of the legal framework for its effective functioning in Ukraine and the world is indicated. E-commerce is proposed to be understood as the process of buying, selling or exchanging goods, services and information using electronic means, mainly through Internet platforms, covering a variety of business processes, such as: online trade, electronic payments, digital marketing, supply chain management, etc. . It was established that the relationship between the right to entrepreneurial activity and e-commerce is that e-commerce is one of the forms of entrepreneurial activity that is adapted to the modern conditions of the digital economy and the development of information technologies, in particular, this relationship is embodied through the prism the following legal relations: the right to entrepreneurial activity as a basis. The constitutional right to entrepreneurial activity provides an opportunity to freely choose and carry out economic activity for the purpose of obtaining profit. This right covers the freedom to choose the form of doing business, dispose of profits and protect one’s interests in the process of carrying out economic activities; digitalization as a form of entrepreneurship. Electronic commerce (e-commerce) expands the traditional possibilities of conducting business, offering new ways for entrepreneurs through the Internet. It covers not only the purchase and sale of goods and services, but also various business processes related to the exchange of digital information, conducting financial transactions and managing logistics; digital capabilities. Thanks to electronic commerce, the right to do business is expanded by accessing global markets and simplifying interaction with customers, which allows doing business regardless of geographical boundaries and time. Entrepreneurs can quickly implement new technologies, automate business processes and provide an individual approach to consumers through digital platforms; protection, security and settlement. Thus, the state, realizing the constitutional right to entrepreneurial activity, must ensure legal regulation of electronic commerce. This includes the protection of consumer rights, control over the quality of services, regulation of digital signatures, protection of personal data and support for the security of online payments; innovation and competition. E-commerce stimulates the development of entrepreneurship, increasing competition through opportunities for innovation. Entrepreneurs working in e-commerce gain competitive advantages due to the efficiency of digital technologies and global opportunities.

Innovative application of particle swarm algorithm in the improvement of digital enterprise management efficiency

At present, the management of most enterprises still adopts the traditional business model, which is difficult to meet the requirements of modern informatization. To effectively improve the efficiency of digital enterprise management and solve the limitations of traditional management methods in resource allocation, decision-making, and process optimization, an experiment is proposed for a digital enterprise innovation management method based on Particle Swarm Optimization. The research results show that the method is applied to the enterprise for simulation experiments, and the efficiency obtained after using the method is as high as 99.5 %, which is nearly 2 % higher than the enterprise management efficiency obtained before the method is not used. The results show that the proposed Particle Swarm Optimization has high reliability and accuracy for improving the management efficiency of digital enterprises, and can provide new research directions and ideas for the development and progress of enterprises in the Internet era.

The recipe to sweet success: competitive advantages for a Spanish chocolatier, 1874–1910

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to unravel the success story of a family business, while engaging with debates in business and management research through the application of corporate strategy frameworks. Implement a structured methodology to evaluate a company’s strategic efforts and explore how businesses historically achieved competitive advantages over time. Design/methodology/approach This company analysis adopts a longitudinal approach on competitive advantages, moving beyond traditional cross-sectional business to transform static models into dynamic ones. It adheres to Michael Porter’s Value Chain model (1985) and his subsequent revisions (1996, 2001) to explore how competitive advantages emerge and are sustained. Data exploration leverages an extensive archival corporate collection comprising approximately 100,000 documents, enabling a thorough examination of value chain activities through primary and secondary sources. Findings Chocolates Amatller effectively channelled its competitive advantages through strategic operational areas, including purchasing cocoa at prices below market value, using strong marketing tools such as illustrative collectible cards and posters and implementing skilful financial strategies. Originality/value Examine why, when and how a Spanish chocolatier achieved a position of prominence among Spain’s foremost industrial figures by constructing Barcelona’s iconic Casa Amatller.

Application of business intelligence based on big data in E-commerce data evaluation

With the vigorous development of e-commerce, more and more goods are sold online. The electronic platform not only brings convenience to people's lives but also gives more people the opportunity of employment and entrepreneurship, which contributes to the promotion of economic value and the creation of wealth. With the gradual maturity of network technology represented by Big Data, it has also led to the further development of e-commerce. In the past, e-commerce mostly used business intelligence systems for data analysis. However, as the data becomes more and more complex, the innovation ability and data analysis ability of traditional business intelligence systems are relatively conservative, so it is of great significance to update and strengthen business intelligence to analyze its role in e-commerce data. Therefore, this paper proposed the application of business intelligence based on Big Data in e-commerce data analysis. By combining Big Data and a business intelligence system and taking the e-commerce data of a certain brand of beverage as the research object, the Days-Times-Money (DTM) model was established, and the data mining technology was used to classify the brand consumers. The data results showed that among the three consumption attributes, the highest consumption density of consumption days, consumption times, and consumption amount was 68.63 %, 67.99 %, and 69.72 % respectively. These were not more than 70 %, which indicated that the consumption of this brand of beverages had a high space for growth. According to the consumption density, the users of this brand of beverage were divided into four consumer groups. According to the classification results, it provided feasible marketing reference opinions for the brand beverage and could provide direction for brand value-added by mining the hidden data of the brand beverage. This paper hoped to use the brand beverage as a case to provide reference and reality for the development of e-commerce enterprises and provide a reference for the application and promotion of business intelligence based on Big Data in e-commerce data analysis.

Research on Innovation Mechanism and Realization Path of Carbon Finance under the Goal of “Double Carbon”

On a global scale, climate change has become a serious problem that cannot be ignored. Carbon finance, as a key means to deal with climate change and promote sustainable development, is gradually receiving attention from the international community. The innovation of financial technology (Fintech) has injected new vitality into traditional financial business, and also brought new opportunities and challenges to the development of carbon finance. Starting from the basic concept of carbon finance, this paper reviews the current development status of carbon finance, analyzes the promotion role of financial technology to the development of carbon finance, and on this basis, looks forward to the future development path of the combination of financial technology and carbon finance.