The aim of the paper is to determine the influence of BMI based on new technologies on a company’s competitive advantage. In order to accomplish the aim a quantitative research was performed using the computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) method. There are two main outcomes of the research. Firstly, BMI based on new technologies has a positive influence on a company’s competitive advantage. Secondly, it was proven that the greater the use of technologies for BMI the greater a company’s competitive advantage is. Taking into account the research results, the paper explains how they contribute to the development of two theories—the theory of innovation as well the theory of competitive advantage. Several recommendations for business practice as well as policy makers are also formulated.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of a company’s external informal relationships in the internationalization process.Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the aim of this paper, a qualitative research was undertaken. The data used for analysis were obtained through face-to-face interviews with representatives of 20 companies.Findings: There are two main findings of the research. First, on the basis of the analysis of the interviews, it was possible to identify 14 different outcomes of informal relationships with external actors in the internationalization process. Second, the outcomes have been assigned to different stages of the internationalization process, thereby covering the whole range of a company’s development timeline.Originality/value: This paper illustrates and confirms the important and positive role of the informal relationships developed by a company with external actors in the internationalization process and indicates that it can change over time depending on the stage of the internationalization.

Fierce market rivalry between companies has forced a need to search for new ways of competing. One such way is to innovate the company’s business model innovation with the use of new technologies. In order to do so, companies often take advantage of relationships with different market actors. Although the existing literature provides some general insight on this matter, there is still a significant research gap concerning the use of specific market actors by companies characterized by BMI based on new technologies. The aim of the paper is to assess the role of relationships developed by companies characterized by BMI based on new technologies with different types of entities. In order to achieve the aim of the paper, it was decided to perform both qualitative and quantitative research. For the qualitative research, a focus study with 12 participants was performed, and for the quantitative study, a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) with representatives from 483 companies was carried out. The data collection method included not only primary sources (interviews with managers) but secondary sources (e.g., company materials) as well. The main conclusion drawn from the presented research is that it is beneficial (in terms of technology as well as performance indicators — profits, sales, market share, and ROI) for companies characterized with BMI based on new technologies to develop relationships with various types of entities. These various types should not only include suppliers or buyers, but competitors, the company’s internal and external units, universities and research centers, financing agencies, and government or local government administration as well. The results presented in the paper add significant value to the existing knowledge. Not only is the paper one of a few which touch on the matter of relationships developed by companies characterized by BMI based on new technologies, it also provides new information. It adds a new block to the theories of open innovation and resource-based view.

Motivation: In the dynamically changing environment companies are looking for new ways to build competitive advantage. One of them could be business model innovation. Despite the rapidly increasing number of research on business model innovation, understanding its role for company's development is still difficult. Aim: The aim of the paper is to identify the role of business model innovation for company's development. Results: A map of up-to-date information derived from the literature was delivered. It not only helped to identify the common standpoints within existing research, but determined relationships between business model innovation and company's development. Additionally, identifying directions for future research was possible.