Towards the link between technology and business: A proposed business model framework

Companies utilize internal resources in order to yield profits. Technologies and their management are such resources. However, the management of technology requires special alignment with respect to the particular business characteristics because the way companies obtain profits differs. Companies with a broad portfolio face a particular challenge to adapt their technology management system to the individual business conditions of their products and markets. This paper explores the influence of such differences in business characteristics on technology management. The characteristics of the business are analysed and a framework is proposed which distinguishes between different business models. This framework integrates findings from various research domains and is capable of characterising the particular business model. Examples drawn from observations in practice illustrate the application of the framework in business and technology management. By utilizing this framework as a referencing system for technology management frameworks, further research into the linkage between technology and business is supported.