Market forces have constantly dictated that the performance and nature of the work place balances. If you accept that the principles of supply and demand will make sure that the ideal, or required, products and services are offered by successful companies, then the impact of the Internet Business explosion may well amend the recognised economic paradigm.

Customary business models are based on a separation of function which arguably resulted from the mechanisation of industry during the Industrial Revolution. In order to increase efficiency the work place “scientists “ such as FW Taylor argued that separation of roles would improve production rates. Then the specialisation of function (innovation, design, production and sales) would be designed to make sure that the greatest opportunity for suppliers and retailers was achieved by encouraging competition at both ends of the chain (in producers and retailers).

This model composed around silo’s is now under threat from the net, the very nature of the capacity to share data instantly has had the effect of bringing together those traditional silo’s. It is now perfectly possible that a group of designers can get together, design an item or service online, in real time. If the harvest is a product then via 3D printing technology that product can be processed and advertised via a website. An entire supply chain can actually Work From Home producing goods and services via Online Jobs.

This mode of activity will affect the world of work as we know it today, Online Jobs will be the norm as opposed to the exception as design, manufacturing and fabrication, sales and marketing and distribution are all achievable through a broadband connection. Traditional barriers to entry in markets, such as accessibility, market information and skill sets will become less of an issue as a start up Internet Business can, easily source suitable skills online and have no need to co-locate a team who can all in fact Work From Home. Any market is easily reached when sales pitches and customer contact is made through effective use of today’s communication technology. Business forums and blog sites can also grant useful local and regional business intelligence through debate with companies already working in that market – clearly there is an issue around sharing information that could be useful to your competitors.

There is no doubt that the mechanics of production as we understand them today will still be required for some elements of manufacturing and production, it would be nigh on impossible for a local supplier to build a car and for an internet business sales team who work from home to sell it. It would also be folly to imply that some of the more technologically advanced products we use on a regular basis could be designed over the internet by a group who had never met. However there are millions of items which are simple in design construction and production which could be produced in this way. Who knows, some of them may even profit from design advancement as hundreds of much smaller groups take a look at those designs and insert their own individual innovation to them.