Business Models

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.

Today's business world is characterized by ever-increasing complexity in nearly every dimension. Supply chains can no longer be understood in a linear fashion, but form networks across numerous supply chain participants. Globalization and crises are straining existing structures, calling into question previously set priorities and measures, and demanding new solutions. How must supply chains be structured in this constantly changing environment in order to be successful? This article highlights fields of action for successful supply chain management.

Circular Economy is considered one of the most promising concepts on the way to a more sustainable economy. Expectations of a responsible corporate orientation are rising: This is shown by a recent ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court, which demands that Germany must be more ambitious in its climate goals [1]. The EU Green Deal envisages climate neutrality by 2050 and the “Circular Economy Action Plan” calls for more effective use of resources and reserves [2]. This article describes a method that companies can use to develop ideas for circular business models.

The digitalization in sustainability management and the creation of a consistent database for sustainability data can significantly support companies in meeting increasing sustainability requirements and transparency regarding the sustainability performance. This paper presents a service-oriented approach for the development of a platform for data-driven sustainability management in manufacturing companies.

The age of globalisation is characterised by increased competition. An opportunity to succeed in the face of increasing competition lies in the digitisation of production companies. This article is dedicated to the design of a three-stage model platform of Industry 4.0, which focuses on the consistency of processes from the customer to the supplier at all company levels. The model platform is followed by an overview of the transformation steps for evaluating and shaping progress on the way to become a digitised production company.