Master's thesis: A business model analysis of VG Nett, Dagbladet.no, and Nettavisen.

The research intent of this thesis was to explore the main drivers of
customer value in the context of the three biggest online newspapers in
Norway, respectively VG Nett, Dagbladet.no, and Nettavisen. The aspect
of customer value was studied from a provider-centric perspective,
rather than through the consumers' evaluation of such value. The
customer value concept was further looked upon in terms of non-monetary
and intangible aspects, and referred to the intrinsic benefits
appropriated to the customer segments from the perspective of the three
online newspapers. The motivation for pursuing this research objective
was based on the contention that the implementation of such value
drivers, along with high editorial standards and efficient revenue
models, could establish an economic fundament for firm profitability, as
well as strong buyer-supplier relationships.
    In order to elucidate the key sources of customer value, I explored
the business activities and the strategic choices of the three media
companies, by conducting a qualitative content analysis of their
business model. By scrutinising their key activities through the lenses
of the Business Model Ontology, I was able to elucidate the locus of
customer value, and, more specifically, the intrinsic benefits
appropriated to the customer segments. Discussing these benefits in
light of the Value Driver Model and the interview responses of three
newspaper executives provided sufficient grounds for identifying
efficiency, complementarities, novelty, convenience, interactivity,
connectivity, and customer integration as the key drivers of customer
value in the context of VG Nett, Dagbladet.no, and Nettavisen. As these
sources bring valuable insights into the strategic choices and the
distinct value creation logic of key online players, I reason that their
identification and implementation would have a vocational and practical
value to the online news industry.