NEW ECONOMIC CONCEPTS SHAPING BUSINESS MODELS IN POST-PANDEMIC ERA
Abstract
Low-Touch Economy is emerging due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused dramatic changes in all aspects of society including the way business is operating. The lockdown policies aiming at avoiding the spread of the new coronavirus in almost every country led to disruptions in business continuity.
The aim of this paper is to overview a new concept of Low-Touch Economy and its possible implications on Business Models in connection with the Digital Economy. The article also outlines the concept in light of the circular and sharing economic theories. The exploratory research approach allows reviewing the current literature and gathering secondary data about Low-Touch Economy and its implications on business dealings. The Bibliographic research of recent works shows the role of the Low-Touch Economy and Digital Economy in searching for new business models and their potential to accelerate economic recovery after the pandemic.
The article concludes by suggesting that organizations should adapt their business models to the new reality. It contributes to a current ongoing discussion on ways out of the crisis. This article fulfills an identified need to study how Low-Touch Economy along with Digital Economy can help the business to continue operations during the pandemic and how the concepts underpinning business models can enable fast economic recovery. Future empirical research will reveal the capability of the Low Touch Economy in different industries as well as various countries around the globe.
References
Ansons, T., Murphy, C., Naert S, S., & Strong , C. (2020, April 22). Brand rituals in a low-touch world: What’s next for brands during the COVID-19 pandemic?. IPSOS. Retrieved January 9, 2021, from https://www.ipsos.com/en/brand-rituals-low-touch-world
Bai, G., & Velamuri, S. R. (2021). Contextualizing the Sharing Economy. Journal of Management Studies. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12652
Barreiro-Gen, M., & Lozano, R. (2020). How circular is the circular economy? Analysing the implementation of circular economy in organisations. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(8), 3484-3494. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2590
Beaumier, G., Kalomeni, K., Campbell-Verduyn, M., Lenglet, M., Natile, S., Papin, M., Rodima-Taylor, D., Silve, A., & Zhang, F. (2020). Global Regulations for a Digital Economy: Between New and Old Challenges. Global Policy, 11(4), 515-522. https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.12823
Berdykulova, G. M. K., Sailov, A. I. U., Kaliazhdarova, S. Y. K., & Berdykulov, E. B. U. (2014). The Emerging Digital Economy: Case of Kazakhstan. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 109, 1287-1291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.12.626
Bertani, F., Ponta, L., Raberto, M., Teglio, A., & Cincotti, S. (2020). The complexity of the intangible digital economy: an agent-based model. Journal of Business Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.03.041
Board of Innovation. (2020a). Low Touch Economy. https://www.boardofinnovation.com
Board of Innovation. (2020b). The Winners of the Low Touch Economy: How companies can recover and grow in the new normal. Strategy Report. Lowtoucheconomy.com. Authors: Philippe De Ridder & Nick De Mey
Bouncken, R., Ratzmann, M., Barwinski, R., & Kraus, S. (2020). Coworking spaces: Empowerment for entrepreneurship and innovation in the digital and sharing economy. Journal of Business Research, 114, 102-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.03.033
Bressanelli, G., Adrodegari, F., Perona, M., & Saccani, N. (2018). The role of digital technologies to overcome Circular Economy challenges in PSS Business Models: an exploratory case study. Procedia CIRP, 73, 216-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2018.03.322
Bucaciuc, A., Prelicean, G., & Chașovschi, C. (2020). Low Touch Economy and Social Economy in Rural Heritage Rich Communities Impacted by COVID-19 Crisis. 16th Economic International Conference NCOE 4.0 2020, 13, 398-409. https://doi.org/10.18662/lumproc/ncoe4.0.2020/36
Carlsson, B. (2004). The Digital Economy: what is new and what is not?. Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 15(3), 245-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strueco.2004.02.001
Chen, Y. (2020). Improving market performance in the digital economy. China Economic Review, 62, 101482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2020.101482
Chiaroni, D., Del Vecchio, P., Peck, D., Urbinati, A., & Vrontis, D. (2019). Digital Technologies In The Business Model Transition Towards Circular Economy. Resources, Conservation & Recycling: X, 2, 100009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcrx.2019.100009
Clifton, N., Füzi, A., & Loudon, G. (2019). Coworking in the digital economy: Context, motivations, and outcomes. Futures, 102439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2019.102439
Cockayne, D. G. (2016). Sharing and neoliberal discourse: The economic function of sharing in the digital on-demand economy. Geoforum, 77, 73-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.10.005
De Mey , N., & De Ridder, P. (2020). Shifts in the Low Touch Economy. Board of Innovation. Report. http://boardofinnovation.com/low-touch-economy
Ertz, M., & Boily, É. (2019). The rise of the digital economy: Thoughts on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies for the collaborative economy. International Journal of Innovation Studies, 3(4), 84-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2019.12.002
Florida, R. (2011). The Great Reset: How New Ways of Living and Working Drive Post-Crash Prosperity. Harper Collins.
Gaspareniene, L., Remeikiene, R., & Navickas, V. (2016). The concept of digital shadow economy: consumer’s attitude. Procedia Economics and Finance, 39, 502-509. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2212-5671(16)30292-1
Greve, B. (2019). The digital economy and the future of European welfare states. International Social Security Review, 72(3), 79-94. https://doi.org/10.1111/issr.12214
Harris, B. (2020, August). A top economist shares 3 ways leaders can help economies recover. World Economic Forum. Retrieved January 9, 2021, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/08/how-leaders-can-help-the-economy-recover-angel-gurria-oecd
Hofmann, F., & Jaeger-Erben, M. (2020). Organizational transition management of circular business model innovations. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(6), 2770-2788. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2542
Hojeghan, S. B., & Esfangareh, A. N. (2011). Digital economy and tourism impacts, influences and challenges. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 19, 308-316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.05.136
Jesus, D. S. V., Kamlot, D. & Dubeux V. J. C. (2020). Innovation in the ‘New Normal’ Interactions, the Urban Space, and the Low Touch Economy: The Case of Rio de Janeiro in the Context of the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Social Science Studies, 8(5), 17-27. https://doi.org/10.11114/ijsss.v8i5.4900
Koay, K. Y., Tjiptono, F., & Sandhu, M. S. (2020). Digital piracy among consumers in a developing economy: A comparison of multiple theory-based models. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 55, 102075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102075
Li, K., Kim, D. J., Lang, K. R., Kauffman, R. J., & Naldi, M. (2020). How should we understand the digital economy in Asia? Critical assessment and research agenda. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 44, 101004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2020.101004
McCarthy, N. (2020, October). Riding out the pandemic: How COVID-19 turned Europe into a cycle superpower. World Economic Forum. Retrieved January 9, 2021, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/10/covid-19-cycling-investment-europe/
McKinsey & Company. (2020, November). COVID-19: Implications for business. Retrieved January 9, 2021, from https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/risk/our-insights/covid-19-implications-for-business
Nadeem, W., & Al-Imamy, S. (2020). Do ethics drive value co-creation on digital sharing economy platforms?. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 55, 102095. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102095
OECD. (2020). The global outlook is highly uncertain. Economic Outlook, OECD.org Retrieved January 9, 2021, from http://www.oecd.org/economic-outlook/june-2020
Oxford economics. (2011, June). The New Digital economy: How it will transform business. A Research Paper Produced in Collaboration With AT&T, Cisco, Citi, PwC & SAP. Retrieved January 9, 2021, from https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/my-oxford/projects/232584
Ozanne, L. K., & Ozanne, J. L. (2020). The power of sharing to support consumers through liminality. Australasian Marketing Journal (AMJ), 28(3), 34-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ausmj.2020.06.006
Paramita, W., Septianto, F., Winahjoe, S., Purwanto, B., & Candra, I. D. (2020). Sharing is (not) caring? The interactive effects of power and psychological distance on tolerance of unethical behavior. Australasian Marketing Journal (AMJ), 28(3), 42-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ausmj.2019.12.002
Pereira, M., & Goncalves, S. (2020, October). Portugal’s cycling success story during COVID-19. World Economic Forum. Retrieved January 9, 2021, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/10/pandemic-lockdown-portugal-covid-19-coronavirus-manufacturer
Pradhan, R. P., Arvin, M. B., Nair, M., Bennett, S. E., & Bahmani, S. (2019). Short-term and long-term dynamics of venture capital and economic growth in a digital economy: A study of European countries. Technology in Society, 57, 125-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2018.11.002
Reuschke, D., & Mason, C. (2020). The engagement of home-based businesses in the digital economy. Futures, 102542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2020.102542
Rogers, B. (2011). Rethinking Sales Management: A strategic guide for practitioners. John Wiley & Sons.
Schwab, K., & Malleret, T. (2020). Covid-19: The Great Reset. ISBN Agentur Schweiz.
Schwanholz, J., & Leipold, S. (2020). Sharing for a circular economy? an analysis of digital sharing platforms’ principles and business models. Journal of Cleaner Production, 269, 122327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122327
Strongin, S., & Miracle, D. (2020, May). The Great Reset: A Framework for Investing After COVID-19. Goldman Sachs. Global Portfolio Analysis. Retrieved January 9, 2021, from https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/pages/gs-research/the-great-reset/report.pdf
Sturgeon, T. J. (2019). Upgrading strategies for the digital economy. Global Strategy Journal, 11-24. https://doi.org/10.1002/gsj.1364
Sutherland, W., & Jarrahi, M. H. (2018). The sharing economy and digital platforms: A review and research agenda. International Journal of Information Management, 43, 328-341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2018.07.004
Tienhaara, K. (2016). Governing the Global Green Economy. Global Policy, 7(4), 481-490. https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.12344
Uçar, E., Le Dain, M.-A., & Joly, I. (2020). Digital Technologies in Circular Economy Transition: Evidence from Case Studies. Procedia CIRP, 90, 133-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2020.01.058
Watanabe, C., Naveed, K., Tou, Y., & Neittaanmäki, P. (2018). Measuring GDP in the digital economy: Increasing dependence on uncaptured GDP. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 137, 226-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2018.07.053
Watanabe, C., Tou, Y., & Neittaanmäki, P. (2018). A new paradox of the digital economy - Structural sources of the limitation of GDP statistics. Technology in Society, 55, 9-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2018.05.004
World Economic Forum. (2020). The Great Reset. WEF. Retrieved January 9, 2021, from https://www.weforum.org/great-reset/
Youssef, A. B, Boubaker, S., Dedaj, B., & Carabregu-Vokshi, M. (2020). Digitalization of the economy and entrepreneurship intention. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 120043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120043
Zemtsov, S. (2020). New technologies, potential unemployment and ‘nescience economy’ during and after the 2020 economic crisis. Regional Science Policy & Practice, 12(4), 723-743. https://doi.org/10.1111/rsp3.12286
Views:
3417
Downloads:
1805
Copyright (c) 2021 Iza Gigauri
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles are published in open-access and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Hence, authors retain copyright to the content of the articles.
CC BY 4.0 License allows content to be copied, adapted, displayed, distributed, re-published or otherwise re-used for any purpose including for adaptation and commercial use provided the content is attributed.