The virtual economy as an emerging paradigm: an essay

Investigates some of the manifestations and major forces driving the emergence of the new 'virtual' economy. A model of the virtual enterprise is proposed and investigated in the context of a virtual industry value chain. The transition to the virtual economy is definitely technology-driven but is also shaped by social, economic and institutional forces. As such, it raises a number of significant issues presented as propositions concerning the new governance, restructuration and social distancing.