Interest for business models and business modeling has increased rapidly since the mid-1990‘s and there are numerous approaches used to create business models. The business model concept has many definitions which can lead to confusion and slower progress in the research and development of business models. A business model ontology (BMO) was created in 2004 where the business model concept was conceptualized based on an analysis of existing literature. A few years later the Business Model Canvas (BMC) was published; a popular business modeling approach providing a high-level, semi-formal approach to create and communicate business models. While this approach is easy to use, the informality and high-level approach can cause ambiguity and it has limited computer-aided support available. In order to propose a solution to address this problem and facilitate the development and communication of Business Model Canvas models, two artifacts are created, demonstrated and evaluated; a structured metamodel for the Business Model Canvas and its implementation in an OMG standards-based modeling tool to provide tool support for BMC modeling.This research is carried out following the design science approach where the artifacts are created to better understand and improve the identified problem. The problem and its background are explicated and the planned artifacts and requirements are outlined. The design and development of the artifacts are detailed and the resulting BMC metamodel is presented as a class diagram in Unified Modeling Language (UML) and implemented to provide tool support for BMC modeling. A demonstration with a business model and an evaluation is performed with expert interviews and informed arguments.The creation of a BMC metamodel exposed some ambiguity in the definition and use of the Business Model Canvas and the importance of graphical presentation and flexibility in the tools used.The evaluation of the resulting artifacts suggests that the artifacts do facilitate the development and communication of the Business Model Canvas models by improving the encapsulation and communication of information in a standardized way and thereby the goals of the research are met.

This thesis is a two-part exploratory inquiry into how actions of Corporate Responsibility (CR) create economic value for the company performing them, in addition to social/environmental value. The purpose of the thesis is to describe the CR initiatives of a theoretical “paragon corporation”: a corporation that excels in its CR initiatives and sees financial gain in it. The report starts by going over literature, describing the CR context that companies operate in today, and similar work. A model for describing CR activities as business activities is drawn from Nancy Bocken’s concept Business Model Archetypes, and it is proposed as a possible tool for describing economic value creation from CR activities. The first part of the study is a word frequency analysis of the annual financial reports of the companies listed on the FTSE 100, where words connected to CR are counted. The sustainability reports of the five companies that have mentioned CR terminology most in the first study are analyzed in detail during the second study, and are characterized using Bocken’s archetypes. Findings show that the paragon corporation should have CR initiatives that can be modeled after the archetypes, enabling the CR initiatives to create direct economic value for the company. The archetypes can be used when formulating a CR strategy from the ground up, or evaluating existing CR strategy. The thesis ends with suggestions for how this can be explored further.

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo validar nuestra idea de negocio frente a la realidad peruana actual. La transformación digital no se vio afectada por el COVID-19, por el contrario impulsó la compra de artefactos tecnológicos. No obstante, en respuesta al deseo de compra surge la necesidad de información, es allí cuando nace la idea de diseñar la plataforma web Helptec un asistente personal cuya principal función es facilitar el proceso de compra del usuario, para lo cual se ofrecerán 3 servicios: Chabot, asesorías personalizadas virtuales y servicio técnico presencial. En los párrafos posteriores se evaluará la idea de negocio desde la validación de la necesidad a través de entrevistas a nuestro público objetivo hasta el desarrollo individual de cada componente de nuestro Business Model Canvas mediante la ejecución de experimentos. Asimismo, se validará el precio de ingreso al mercado, se cuantificará nuestro público objetivo y se estimará una proyección de ventas tomando en cuenta las tendencias del mercado actual. Para analizar la escalabilidad de nuestro proyecto, se iniciarán ventas auténticas mediante los canales planteados y se desarrollará un plan financiero en base a los resultados. De esta manera, se incluirán presupuestos en marketing, operacionales y concierge’s, con la finalidad de estimar con la mayor realidad posible el capital necesario para comenzar las operaciones comerciales de Helptec. Finalmente, se concluirá si el proyecto planteado podría tener éxito en la realidad nacional o si debido a ciertos factores económicos, sociales o culturales no resultaría viable. / The objective of this research is to validate our business idea against the current Peruvian reality. Digital transformation was not affected by COVID-19, on the contrary, it drove the purchase of technological artifacts. However, in response to the desire to purchase the need for information arises, that is when the idea of ​​designing the Helptec web platform was born, a personal assistant whose main function is to facilitate the user's purchase process, for which 3 services will be offered: Chabot, virtual personalized advice and face-to-face technical service. In the following paragraphs, the business idea will be evaluated from the validation of the need through interviews with our target audience to the individual development of each component of our Business Model Canvas through the execution of experiments. Likewise, the market entry price will be validated, our target audience will be quantified and a sales projection will be estimated taking into account current market trends. To analyze the scalability of our project, authentic sales will be initiated through the proposed channels and a financial plan will be developed based on the results. In this way, marketing, operational and concierge budgets will be included, in order to estimate with the greatest possible reality the capital necessary to start Helptec's commercial operations. Finally, it will be concluded if the proposed project could be successful in the national reality or if due to certain economic, social or cultural factors it would not be viable. / Trabajo de investigación

Digitalization, fueled by the innovation of new technologies and new ways of operating, is disrupting both society and business. This includes laboratories, where new technologies alter the way business can be made, thus requiring changes in key business elements such as corporate strategy, business model and organizational structure. Due to the requirement of alternations on both a strategic and operational level, performing a digital transformation presents numerous challenges for a laboratory. Challenges which, if identified and understood, can be mitigated to improve the chance of a successful transformation. Even though the numerous challenges that digitalization presents for organizations, research on the topic is sparse, especially for protocol-driven laboratories where a theoretical gap exists. Consequently, research on how such challenges can be mitigated is lacking. The following thesis therefore aims to explore potential challenges that protocol-driven laboratories are exposed to when performing a digital transformation; and how these can be avoided. To answer the purpose, an inaugural literature research was performed followed by a case study of Pegasuslab to identify and analyze relevant challenges. Thereafter a subsequent gathering and interpretation of literature was conducted, aimed at identifying areas of solutions to mitigate the previously identified challenges. From the analysis, nine overarching themes of challenges were identified, namely: Culture; Strategy; Value Creation; People & Skills; Relations; Security & Regulations; Technology; Governance & Structure; and Leadership. Further, aggregated challenges for each theme were analyzed and compared with current literature. From the subsequent gathering and interpretation of literature, four areas of solutions were found, namely: Defining a digital business strategy; Filling the competence gap; Increasing agility through a digital culture; and Using customer data for value. Finally, the thesis concludes with how a digital transformation affects the whole organizations. Thus, challenges for protocol-driven laboratories goes beyond technology and may be encountered on multiple dimensions. To mitigate potential challenges, top management commitment and resources are required to acquire a holistic and unified view of the transformation.

With an increased level of digitization in the retail sector, retail incumbents need to adapt their business model to the new digital era. E-commerce business and other digital tools have transformed the retail industry and incumbent retailers have to react to the changes in order to remain competitive on the market. While previous research has examined the nature of the digital tools in retail or the general impact of digital transformation on the sector, the thesis aims to investigate the impact of digital transformation on the business model of a retail incumbent. To investigate the impact of digital transformation on the business model of a retail incumbent, a single case study has been conducted at Company X, an incumbent retailer operating in Sweden. The Business Model Canvas has been used as a tool to identify the current business model of the company, and to propose future business models for Company X. The findings have resulted in the creation of three different Business Model Canvas scenarios with different levels of change in the business model. The scenarios all implied an increased cooperation with external partners and the implementation of new customer channels.The findings of the thesis contribute to an increased knowledge of retail business model change. While earlier research findings regarding the impact of digital transformation on the retail sector were confirmed in the case study, the thesis proposes new research concerning the impact on a retail incumbent’s business model. The study also contributes to how the Business Model Canvas may be used as a unit of analysis when investigating business model change. / Med en ökad digitalisering inom detaljhandeln så behöver traditionella detaljhandlare anpassa deras affärsmodell till den nya digitala eran. E-handel och andra digitala verktyg har förändrat detaljhandeln och traditionella detaljhandlare måste reagera för att behålla deras konkurrenskraft. Medan tidigare forskning har undersökt olika digitala verktyg inom handeln, eller hur digitalisering har påverkat handelssektorn på en övergripande nivå, så är den här uppsatsens syfte att undersöka den digitala transformationens påverkan på en traditionell detaljhandlares affärsmodell. För att undersöka hur digitaliseringen påverkar en traditionell detaljhandlares affärsmodell så har en fallstudie genomförts hos Företag X, en traditionell detaljhandlare i Sverige. BusinessModel Canvas har använts som ett verktyg för att identifiera den nuvarande affärsmodellen och för att ge förslag på framtida affärsmodeller som Företag X kan implementera. Resultaten har bidragit till att skapa tre olika framtida scenarier av affärsmodellen Canvas. Samtliga scenarier innebär ett ökat samarbete med externa partners och implementering av nya kundkanaler. Uppsatsen bidrar med ökad kunskap om förändring av affärsmodeller inom detaljhandel. Tidigare forskning rörande digitaliseringens påverkan på handeln har bekräftats och uppsatsen bidrar med ny forskning rörande den digitala transformationens påverkan på en traditionell detaljhandlares affärsmodell. Studien bidrar också med kunskap om hur affärsmodellen Canvas kan användas som analysverktyg vid undersökning av förändring av affärsmodeller.

During the 20th century, Large Scale Companies (LSCs) mindset was all about minimizing risks and maximizing profits. On top of this, they were heavily relying on intellectual property – culture of secret – and they were shaped to exploit rather than to explore. In this context, open innovation brought a completely new approach. As part of the changing landscape, trends of corporate venturing appeared about five years ago. Among LSCs which have chosen to get on the train of innovation, different strategies have been adopted from one company to another. Only today are people witnessing corporate venturing getting more structured. Yet, LSCs have not focused enough just yet on the development of venture structures with external startups. It is essential to understand how to make incubation and acceleration of external startups successful within LSCs. This study adopts LSCs’ perspective and aims at providing them with the best practices that currently exist in the innovation ecosystem in terms of corporate venturing. In particular, this study focuses on how Large Scale Companies (LSCs) can take advantage of external startups through a corporate incubator and/or corporate accelerator in order to become more innovative. The study suggests the venturing process should be divided into three main stages: the identification of the appropriate venture structure and of the right startups, the follow-up of the integrated startups of the corporate venture structure and finally the exit strategy. Building upon the business model canvas and customer value proposition theories, the suggestion is made for LSCs to step backwards and reflect thoroughly about the corporate venture strategy they want to adopt. LSCs should be aware that they evolve as part of a complex venturing ecosystem, and that each tool, rather than being isolated, should embrace and collaborate with the multitude of existing structures. / Under de 20 århundradena var Large Scale Companies (LSCs) tankegangen allt om minimering av risker och maximesring av överskott. Utöver detta var de starkt beroende av immateriella rättigheter - hemlighetskulturen - och de var formade att utnyttja snarare än att utforska. I det här sammanhanget kom öppen innovation till ett helt nytt tillvägagångssätt. Som ett led i det förändrade landskapet uppträdde trenderna för företagsvågningar för ungefär fem år sedan. Blandt LSCs, som har valt att få på toget eller innovation, olika strategier har beslutats från ett företag till ett annat. Endast idag är människors vittnesbörd om företagsvågar att bli mer strukturerad. Ändå har LSCs inte fokuserat tillräckligt på utvecklingen av venturestrukturer med externa startups. Det är viktigt att förstå hur man gör inkubation och acceleration av externa startups framgångsrika inom LSCs. Denna studie antar LSCs perspektiv och syftar till att ge dem de bästa praxis som för närvarande finns i innovationsekosystemet när det gäller företagsledning. I synnerhet fokuserar den här studien på hur Large Scale Companies (LSC) kan dra nytta av externa uppstart genom en företags inkubator och / eller företagsaccelerator för att bli mer innovativ. De studier som antyder vid venturingprocessen bör delas in tre huvudfaser: Identifiering av den aktuella riskstrukturen och rätt uppstart, uppföljning av den integrerade uppstarten av den organisationsstruktur och slutgiltigt slutstrategi. Med utgångspunkt i affärsmodellens kanfas och kundvärdes propositionsteorier, görs förslaget att LSCs ska gå bakåt och reflektera noggrant på företagsledningsstrategin som de vill anta. LSCs borde vara medvetna om att de utvecklas som en del av ett komplext venturerande ekosystem, och att varje verktyg, istället för att isoleras, ska omfamna och samarbeta med de många befintliga strukturerna.

С развитием цифровых технологий традиционная система ведения бизнеса была разрушена, и сейчас многие компании больше, чем когда-либо, должны реагировать на цифровизацию. Цифровая трансформация привносит инновации не только в поставку продукта, но и в то, как сегодня ведется бизнес. Очевидно, что пандемия COVID-19 изменила нашу жизнь, и можно точно сказать, что деловая деятельность и бизнес-модели в той или иной форме подверглись цифровой трансформации в связи с пандемией COVID-19. Основной целью данной исследовательской работы было определить, как цифровая трансформация, вызванная пандемией, изменила бизнес-модель выбранной компании в Екатеринбурге, Россия, уточнить определение цифровой трансформации, проанализировать структурированный подход к цифровой трансформации, а также подход, этапы, деятельность и результаты. Поскольку выбранная компания работает в сфере развлечений, данная исследовательская работа представляет собой тематическое исследование. Основные виды деятельности и элементы бизнес-модели выбранной компании до и во время пандемии будут определены с помощью Business Model Canvas, а подход компании к цифровой трансформации будет изучен и проанализирован, чтобы дать дальнейшие рекомендации для других компаний, стремящихся улучшить или изменить свою бизнес-модель посредством цифровизации из-за пандемии COVID-19. Знания, полученные в данном исследовании, показывают, как цифровая трансформация изменила/улучшила бизнес-модель выбранной компании. Выводы данной исследовательской работы предназначены в основном для других компаний, которые рассматривают возможность цифровизации. / With the evolution of digital technologies, the traditional system of doing business has been fractured and many companies now more than ever must react to digitalization. The digital transformation brings innovation not only into the delivery of the product but to the way businesses are conducted nowadays. It is evident that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives, and it is accurate to say that business activities and business models have undergone some form of digital transformation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The main goal of this research paper was to identify how the digital transformation that was caused by the pandemic has changed the business model of a selected company in Yekaterinburg, Russia, clarify the definition of digital transformation, analyze the structured approach to digital transformation as well as the approach, phases, activities, and results. Because the selected company is operating in the entertainment sector, this research paper is a case study. The basic activities and elements of the business models of the selected company, before and during the pandemic will be identified using the Business Model Canvas, and the company’s approach to digital transformation will be examined and analyzed, in other to make further recommendations for other companies looking to improve or change their business model through the digitization because of COVID-19 pandemic. The knowledge gained in this research shows how the digital transformation changed/improve the business model of the selected company. The conclusions of this research paper are mainly for other companies that are considering their digitalization.

The university technology transfer coach has an important role in supporting the commercialization of research results. This thesis has studied the technology transfer coach and their needs in the coaching process. The goal has been to investigate information needs of the technology transfer coach as a preliminary for the design of computer aids.Using a grounded theory approach, we interviewed 17 coaches working in the Swedish technology transfer environment. Extracted quotes from interviews were openly coded and categorized. The analysis show three main problem areas related to the information needs of the technology transfer coach; awareness, communication, and resources. Moreover, 20 features for future computer aids were extracted from the interview data and scenarios and personas where developed to exemplify the future use of computer aids.We conclude that there is a need for computer support in the coaching process. Such systems should aid the coach in; awareness, aiding the coach to focus on meetings; communication, aid the coach to transfer commercialisation knowledge; and resources, aid the coach in accessing and delivering of resources to the coachee. However, it is imperative that the computer aids do not interfere with the coach current process; and that the computer aid is not seen as the sole solution.

There have been tremendous economic developments in all parts of the world including developing nations. One of the major drivers of these developments has been from the Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). These businesses have enabled many nations to create employment, resulting in an increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In as much as SMEs have well documented benefits, they also require many support, capital and business skills. This has led to the establishment of SME incubation centres where start-ups are hosted and trained to have the business skills. However, despite the incubation initiatives, SMEs still fail to grow and always have challenges. At times, the challenges are not finance related but lack of proper business strategies. This could be addressed by considering business models. This dissertation considers the initiatives that have been taking place on SMEs. A case study of SMEs in Namibia within the Khomas region is used. A mixed research approach was adopted. Specific research methods used were interviews and observations with questionnaires being used as the instruments to gather the required information. SMEs from the Bokamoso Entrepreneurial Centre in Windhoek were selected for the research population. One of the popular Business Model Canvas tools was used as a sample of a guide in data collection, where SMEs engaged were to indicate how they apply certain categories of the canvas. Results show that SMEs engaged do not have specific business models they are applying. However, there were many elements and understanding of the categories from the business model canvas. At the same time, SMEs mentioned incorporating technologies in their businesses and using ICTs to reach customers and make an effort to cut on the cost of bringing in stock. It was also clear that SMEs work independently and have long working hours when they are to meet specific orders. It was concluded that SMEs’ needs are different and that it may be difficult to use one business model. However, a mixture of a few business models could be combined to cater for the changing environment and address business needs. The Business Model Canvas could be applied for the Namibian SMEs but there is need to consider some other business models such as cutting out the middleman, business partnership models and bricks and clicks models. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

本研究探討建構發展桌遊社群平台之營運模式及其關鍵成功因素，以形成執行策略與行動計畫。 本研究採文獻探討、深度參與、資料分析、探索性個案式研究，先以「SWOT矩陣分析」，來分析探討個案現況；再以「商業模式九宮格」以及「新創事業之精實商業模式十一格」兩者，來探討個案分析；之後，再以SWOT之分析結果，針對兩種宮格分析結果每一宮格之內容項目，再進行探討分析；也就是在兩種宮格分析後，每一格，再用SWOT去探討分析，由此呈現出更深入具體之執行策略與行動計畫。最後再輔以創新擴散模型來推論計算，各階段社群平台推廣之臨界數量與營運目標。終能更完整建構桌遊社群平台之營運模式，形成關鍵策略、競爭策略、行動策略等流程圖，並表列出各種行動方案之執行建議。 當手談趣在台灣成為會員數或開店數排名第一的桌遊社群平台之後，或可研究進入中國或全球之桌遊市場，探討中國或全球市場之桌遊社群平台營運模式；亦可考慮進入台灣、或中國、或全球之其他產業市場，進一步研究探討，台灣、中國、或全球市場其他產業之社群平台營運模式。 / This research tried to develop and complete the business model of table game online community platform also find out the key success factors of it, thus, we can form the executive strategy and action plans. This research used SWOT matrix to analyze the case situation, then used Business Model Canvas and Lean Canvas to examine the case analysis. Afterwards, we used the SWOT matrix to examine and analyze the Business Model Canvas and Lean Canvas by each canvas element again. Then, we used Innovation Diffusion Theory to calculate the critical mass and determine the quantitative objective of every stage. We can study on China or global market of table game online community platform or other industries via this research process after Sotanfun platform reaches success of the first or second stage of its quantitative objectives.