The impact Of the Internet On The Development Of Web-Based Business Models
The paper is composed of three parts. In the first, a short overview of the development of the Internet and its impact on various spheres of functioning of contemporary organizations is given. In this section, the term ‘business model’ is defined and then the constituent components of business models are presented and discussed. The second part forms the core of this paper. First, the typology of business-to-consumer Web-based business models is proposed; taking into consideration the phases of the internet’s development (i.e. Web 1.0 and Web 2.0). Next, the six basic types of business models which have developed in the electronic space are presented and analyzed. The first four emerged in the first phase of the Internet’s development while the final two are strictly connected with the Web 2.0 phase. The characteristics of each are given along with examples from various industries and sectors. In the final part of the paper, the most significant conclusions and suggestions are offered.