Theory of the multi-level nature (multi-levelness) of a business model, business modeling and business model innovation in strategic management

The purpose of the research, the results of which are presented in this article, is to present the main theses of the theory of the multilevel nature (multi-levelness) of a business model created by the author within the framework of scientific work in the field of business modeling and strategic management. The article is a logical continuation of the author's scientific research presented earlier, within the framework of which a review of foreign and Russian scientific works in the field of business model innovation and definition of the concept of a business model was carried out, the hypothesis of multilevel business model was put forward, the author's universal intersectoral methodology for developing an organization's business model and forecasting its economic efficiency was presented. The material presented in this article is based on a long-term empirical analysis obtained during observations of the activities of organizations in various industries in Russia and abroad, and contains a theoretical basis describing the object of the formulated theory — a multilevel business model of the organization — and related postulates. The theses defining the theory of the multilevel nature of the business model are formulated: the primacy of the business model of the organization over its strategy is stated; the multilevel nature of the business model is described (holding, corporate and product-market levels are highlighted); the implementation of business modeling and business model innovation (BMI) is justified by levels, and not in relation to the business model as a whole; the recommended focus or starting point of business modeling / BMI is determined. The theoretical theses are accompanied by the necessary explanations and are supported by the evidence base. The theoretical findings and methodological solutions proposed in this study solve the problem of the practical applicability of the business model concept and systematize the process of business modeling and business model innovation.