Meta Modeling for Business Model Design : Designing a Meta model for E3 value model based on MOF

Abstract: E3 value model is a conceptual tool to express the business logic of a firm from a holistic perspective, focusing on the value proposition that the firm offers and the architecture of its network of partners. It can be used as a tool of alignment between the business strategy and business process. However, the lack of concrete modeling principles and relationship between the components of a business makes extraction of knowledge difficult from e3 value models. It remains isolated from the rest of the business design and IS architecture. Software architects face difficulty in extracting knowledge from business models to design information systems. On the other hand, business analysts find hardship in communicating and controlling system design changes as the business model changes over time. To solve these problems, the thesis proposes the design and implementation of a well-defined e3 value meta-model such that the e3 models then created are compatible with UML and could be serialized as XML. The meta-model designed clearly defines the relationship between each e3 value model components and also adds a classification of value objects as an extension to the meta-model. To illustrate the usefulness of this meta-model, and its inherent validation properties to create a correct e3 value model, a graphical editor tool for end user is created. A case study is then conducted at a software company, and its business model is then implemented to demonstrate the efficiency of both the meta-model and the tool. The research work closely follows the design science guidelines and principles to achieve the results.