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Review article

https://doi.org/10.38190/ope.12.1.8

Alibaba ecosystem as a model for entrepreneurial project: chance for Croatian small and medium enterprises

Joško Lozić orcid id orcid.org/0000-0001-5568-5279 ; University of the North
Katerina Fotova Čiković orcid id orcid.org/0000-0003-0138-1362 ; University of the North


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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to determine the financial stability and business structure of the Alibaba ecosystem and to point out the opportunities that the platform creates for entrepreneurs in the Republic of Croatia. Methodology ‒ the paper is designed as a descriptive research of the emergence and development of entrepreneurial and managerial models of the Alibaba ecosystem. The financial structure of the corporation was used in the analysis of the business structure, as well as the scientific literature that deals with the analysis of the business model of the Alibaba ecosystem. Research results indicate the transformation of the revenue generation model and the development of new forms of business activities of the platform. The corporation was founded as an online retail platform but with the development of business activities it has transformed into a hybrid form of platform economy. Conclusion ‒ Alibaba ecosystem generates most of its revenue from online retail activities in China. At the same time, the platform is transforming towards a hybrid business model and the share of cloud business revenue is growing significantly. As it is expanding beyond the domicile market in China and developing new forms of services, the platform opens opportunities for the development of small and medium enterprises outside of China. In this context, the Alibaba ecosystem can become a lever of development for small and medium enterprises in the Republic of Croatia as well as for the development of economic activities in service industries in the Republic of Croatia.

Keywords

Alibaba; platform economy; digital economy; hybrid model; online retail

Hrčak ID:

279771

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/279771

Publication date:

28.6.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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