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A strategic framework for the selection and evaluation of e-business models within supply chains

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Abstract

The Internet is revolutionising how business is conducted and many organisations now recognise the benefits of Internet-enabled supply arrangements. However when confronted by the range of e-business models currently available, organisations struggle to identify the one most appropriate to their needs. There is also a lack of quantitative evidence as to the benefits of deploying e-business model(s). These are serious problems as different e-business models focus on different applications and using inappropriate models will fail to deliver the expected benefits. This paper describes a methodology which integrates supply chains and e-business models through a strategic framework and then quantifies the benefits of deploying e-business model(s) using simulation modelling. The methodology proposed here provides guidelines on selecting the appropriate e-business model(s) to be deployed when a particular company or supply chain seeks to move towards Internet-based operations. A case study is provided to illustrate the use of the methodology.

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Ho, J., Boughton, N. & Kehoe, D. A strategic framework for the selection and evaluation of e-business models within supply chains. Oper Res Int J 2, 35–53 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02940120

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