Framework for electronic business development as a prerequisite for top management to gain sustainable competitive advantage

Abstract

The research background rests on the shortcomings of existing electronic business development models. The main aspects of the framework for e-business development as a prerequisite for sustainable competitive advantage are based on an analysis of scientific literature on sustainable competitive advantage and electronic business development. The paper aims to form a framework of electronic business development model oriented at the creation of sustainable competitive advantage for the enterprise. The research methodology consists of the critical analysis of e-business development and the analysis and related theories of the sustainable competitive advantage activities based on task-oriented questions that were met using the method of essential components identification. The main research findings are presented in the form of newly formed framework for the development of an electronic business that integrates the goals of economic, ecologic, and social dimensions into the IT-driven business activities. The framework is based on four dimensions identified as key to the company and influenced by the use of information technology: the dimensions of interoperability and robustness that incorporate external environment factors; value creation that includes the internal environment; the productivity dimension that includes changes to IT infrastructure and separation of key business areas.