Possibilities of applying the configurational approach to business model research

The issue of business models is a current and more and more deeply analysed field of scientific research. However, despite the requirements of a solid and comprehensive research approach, capable of capturing the multidimensionality of business models, there is a continuous dissatisfaction with the conducted empirical research in this area. The aim of the article is to present the possibility of using the configurational approach and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fs/QCA) to business models research, which enables to conduct comprehensive, integrated analyses. The research was conducted on the basis of a group of 53 enterprises classified in the high-tech sector. The research provided an insight into the key and auxiliary elements of the selected business models, and the methods of their mutual interaction in the context of the configuration of these elements were monitored, at the same time providing insight into the equifinality of the configuration. The results may form the basis for a deeper discussion on the definition of business models and their core components