Exploring the role of intellectual capital in the development of e‐business models : Evidence from the Iranian carpet industry

Purpose – This paper aims at exploring the role of structural capital (SC) dimensions – customer, process and innovational – in the development of e‐business models (eBM). The Iranian carpet industry is tested regarding five types of eBMs: Direct to customer, Full Service Provider, Virtual Community, Shared Infrastructure and Value Net Integrator. Design/methodology/approach – First, measures for SC dimensions and required core competencies for eBMs are extracted from the literature. Then, the correlation level between SC dimensions and different eBMs are hypothesized. Finally, after using a questionnaire in 30 Iranian carpet companies, the hypotheses are tested. Findings – This study indicates that three dimensions of SC influence different eBMs in their own way. While one instant dimension is strongly effective for one eBM, it does not significantly affect the other one. Research limitations/implications – The role of human capital – the second part of intellectual capital – on the development of eBM as well as the dependency of some other eBMs such as intermediaries on intellectual capital should be investigated in further research. Practical implications – Using the help of this study, firstly, companies will concentrate on the most effective dimensions of SC in developing a special eBM. Secondly, they will exclude those eBMs which are not applicable regarding their knowledge capabilities. Originality/value – This study brings together two disciplines that have not been considered together before: the development of eBMs and the management of intellectual capital.