How Can the Concept of Business Models Apply to Technical Communication Practice and Research?
Applications of this concept vary among practice and research. Within the community of practice, the construct of business models has many implications: • Ideal placement of an information design and development group within an organization. One of the ongoing questions among information design and development managers is where does the group belong: in product development? Marketing? Technical Support? Elsewhere? Unfortunately, many believe that a single response applies to all groups. By considering the business model under which a group operates, management might make a choice that allows the group to best flourish within the confines of that model. • Strategic planning. By identifying the current model under which an information design and development organization operates, it can decide not only whether it wants to offer new services, but what business practices must be adjusted to accommodate them. For example, if a group operates under the contractor model and wants to offer ser
