Beyond e-business models: the road to virtual worlds

Virtual Worlds (or, VWs) are an intriguing \ufb01eld of research. In particular, VWs appear to create new opportunities for integrating the business of the \ufb01rm with Information Technology (or, IT). This article is a \ufb01rst attempt to address the topic of how owning andmaintaining a VWcan impact on the businessmodels of \ufb01rms and on the literature on business models, and VWs are examined in order to understand the relationship between them. A qualitative methodology is proposed to sketch a radar map framework, which is able to identify value drivers and the subsequent impact on elements of value proposition. Although they need to be tested and veri\ufb01ed, the \ufb01ndings provided in this work might offer support for \ufb01rms looking to VWs as a new way to implement a winning business model. Finally, suggestions for empowering future research are proposed and examined