This thesis, titled "Value-based Requirements Engineering: Exploring Innovative e-Commerce Ideas," by Jaap Gordijn, explores the process of developing innovative e-commerce ideas and the requirements engineering needed to turn these ideas into viable business models. The research is grounded in both business and academic environments, drawing from experience in consulting and academic research. The main contributions of the thesis include: 1. **Definition of an Economic Value-Based Ontology**: The thesis introduces an ontology that precisely defines what a value model is, focusing on economic value creation, distribution, and consumption in a multi-actor network. 2. **E-commerce Idea Exploration Process**: A global e-commerce idea exploration process is presented, emphasizing the importance of economic value assessment from both profitability and consumer value perspectives. 3. **Value Model Deconstruction and Reconstruction**: Techniques for deconstructing and reconstructing value models are discussed, allowing for variations and refinements of e-commerce ideas. 4. **Practical Guidelines**: Practical guidelines for evaluating e-commerce ideas are provided, including the creation of profitability sheets and the use of evolutionary scenarios. 5. **Tool Support**: The thesis also discusses existing and envisioned tool support for implementing the $e^{3}$-value methodology, highlighting the importance of tool integration for efficient e-commerce idea exploration. The research is structured around Action Research, involving iterative cycles of problem diagnosis, action intervention, and reflective learning. The thesis concludes with a discussion of key findings, future research directions, and the potential for value-based requirements engineering in the context of innovative e-commerce.This thesis, titled "Value-based Requirements Engineering: Exploring Innovative e-Commerce Ideas," by Jaap Gordijn, explores the process of developing innovative e-commerce ideas and the requirements engineering needed to turn these ideas into viable business models. The research is grounded in both business and academic environments, drawing from experience in consulting and academic research. The main contributions of the thesis include: 1. **Definition of an Economic Value-Based Ontology**: The thesis introduces an ontology that precisely defines what a value model is, focusing on economic value creation, distribution, and consumption in a multi-actor network. 2. **E-commerce Idea Exploration Process**: A global e-commerce idea exploration process is presented, emphasizing the importance of economic value assessment from both profitability and consumer value perspectives. 3. **Value Model Deconstruction and Reconstruction**: Techniques for deconstructing and reconstructing value models are discussed, allowing for variations and refinements of e-commerce ideas. 4. **Practical Guidelines**: Practical guidelines for evaluating e-commerce ideas are provided, including the creation of profitability sheets and the use of evolutionary scenarios. 5. **Tool Support**: The thesis also discusses existing and envisioned tool support for implementing the $e^{3}$-value methodology, highlighting the importance of tool integration for efficient e-commerce idea exploration. The research is structured around Action Research, involving iterative cycles of problem diagnosis, action intervention, and reflective learning. The thesis concludes with a discussion of key findings, future research directions, and the potential for value-based requirements engineering in the context of innovative e-commerce.