Recommending Books for Purchase (Bulletin 64 - May 2020): e-Business/e-Commerce

The spread of the Internet into all areas of business activities has put a particular focus on business models. The digitalization of business processes is the driver of changes in company strategies and management practices alike. This textbook provides a structured and conceptual approach, allowing students and other readers to understand the commonalities and specifics of the respective business models. The book begins with an overview of the business model concept in general by presenting the development of business models, analyzing definitions of business models and discussing the significance of the success of business model management. In turn, Chapter 2 offers insights into and explanations of the business model concept and provides the underlying approaches and ideas behind business models. Building on these foundations, Chapter 3 outlines the fundamental aspects of the digital economy. In the following chapters the book examines various core models in the business to consumer (B2C) context. The chapters follow a 4-C approach that divides the digital B2C businesses into models focusing on content, commerce, context and connection. Each chapter describes one of the four models and provides information on the respective business model types, the value chain, core assets and competencies as well as a case study. Based on the example of Google, Chapter 8 merges these approaches and describes the development of a hybrid digital business model. Chapter 9 is dedicated to business-to-business (B2B) digital business models. It shows how companies focus on business solutions such as online provision of sourcing, sales, supportive collaboration and broker services. Chapter 10 shares insight into the innovation aspect of digital business models, presenting structures and processes of digital business model innovation. The book is rounded out by a comprehensive case study on Google/Alphabet that combines all aspects of digital business models. Conceived as a textbook for students in advanced undergraduate courses, the book will also be useful for professionals and practitioners involved in business model innovation, and applied researchers.

This book compiles the current state of knowledge on omnichannel retailing, a new concept in which all sales and interaction channels are considered together, and which aims to deliver a seamless customer experience regardless of the channel. It highlights case studies and examples related to each of the many barriers to an omnichannel approach, demonstrating not just success stories, but also failures.  While omnichannel has already been recognized as an emerging retail trend, the articles in this book fill an important gap in research on the topic. Providing readers with essential insights on the omnichannel strategy and its implementation, the book will also stimulate academic discussion on this emerging trend.

This book provides an introduction to the current digital (r)evolution in the economy, based on the example of the retail industry as a part of the service sector, and presents strategies and new technologies for the successful management of the digital transformation. In keeping with the highly discussed term "Industry 4.0," the book showcases the ongoing dramatic changes in the retail industry, summarized under the concept of "Retail 4.0." Authors from science and industry alike discuss how the traditional retail industry can adapt to digitization and how, besides new competition from pure eCommerce players, new opportunities to fascinate consumers with new smart services are arising. In this context, the book discusses changes in business models and value chains, new processes and technologies, and the transformation of the enterprise as a whole (with its employees). In addition, the book puts forward key strategies, especially those designed to help mainly stationary retailers compete with the rapidly growing revenues of online trade and eCommerce. It introduces an intelligent blend of traditional, stationary trading with eCommerce, and online trading components. It presents concrete examples of how integrated processes and technologies, data management, suitable equipment and trained sales staff can pave the way for smart services. The book shows practical approaches to successful transformation and a number of cases from leading retail companies. Given its combination of recent research findings and best practices, the book offers a valuable read for both managers and researchers.