Business Models

AI opens up entirely new forms of value creation, but most business model tools have not kept pace. They overlook both the strategic potential that AI holds and the ethical challenges that it introduces. This study introduces a dual-card toolkit that helps interdisciplinary teams design AI-enabled business models with built-in ethical reflection. The key insight: to harness AI responsibly, we must rethink how we innovate, starting from the business model itself.

The work system is the key unit of analysis within the discipline of human factors/ergonomics (HFE); it is also considered a fundamental element for value creation within other domains. Its concept is based on sociotechnical systems theory and, within HFE, it conveys a distinctly human-centered perspective. So far, work system models have focused on one or several people working within a defined setting as the only (intelligent) actors within the system. The introduction of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) into work systems, particularly as an intelligent and autonomous actor (agent) with potentially specific social abilities and personality traits, calls for reconceptualization. This article elaborates on the new requirements related to the introduction of genAI and develops a human-centered AI-paired work system model that recognizes the significantly expanded capabilities of AI-enabled collaborative social robots.

The most important value-adding industrial business processes are product creation and order processing. For 40 years now, Industry 4.0 Science and its predecessor titles have supported the development and implementation of the software used in these industrial business processes. In honor of the journal’s 40th anniversary, a systematic literature review is carried out to identify trends that played a role in the past but no longer do today. The research provides some surprising insights into the topics that have been important in the last 40 years – as well as those that will remain relevant in the future.

Fake news are increasingly dominating the digital world. The question arises: Can modern technologies reverse this trend? The article highlights the potential of the GPT-4o language model for identifying fake news in online comments and news articles and for correcting false information. With impressive accuracy, the model shows how language technology can combat misinformation.

Artificial intelligence is often mentioned often mentioned in the same context as Industry 4.0, but the exact role of AI is unclear. Is AI just another 4IR technology or an essential "enabler" for other 4IR technologies? Six experts assess the impact of AI on 41 4IR technologies. AI could indeed be a decisive factor in unleashing the full potential of Industry 4.0.

Companies with traditional working and manufacturing structures face the challenge of progressive digitalization and internationalization. In order to adapt, many companies aim to develop digital and agile working skills and competences. This paper describes the conception of a digital platform to promote agility in innovation of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in structurally weak regions and to contribute to their innovativeness and future viability.

Digital transformation is a crucial factor for the competitiveness of companies. This article explores obstacles and their interrelationships in establishing digital business models in medium-sized family businesses as well as initial approaches to overcoming these obstacles.

The combination of product service systems and big data requires a change in the existing, traditional business models and a repositioning of the companies. Since these changes are often a challenge, this article uses the example of predictive maintenance to present the influences of big data and product service systems on the business models of medium-sized companies in mechanical and plant engineering. Based on a systematic literature review in combination with expert interviews, numerous practical business model implications were obtained, providing sound guidance for industry representatives.