Potential for Growth and Security in Internet File-Sharing: The VPN Concept of Gnutella

Abstract

ABSTRACT The integration and use of the Internet and database management systems serve as a foundation for management of data flows for IT strategic purposes, such as using bar codes in distribution warehouses' informational and material flows. Although these trends are fairly common to B2B and C2B transactions, little research has been done on the concepts of Internet file sharing initiated on the consumers' side. Literature and conceptual research for this position paper were conducted to determine the potential for growth and security in Internet file sharing, namely the VPN concept of Gnutella. Internet file sharing is rapidly becoming a high priority issue in developing competitive advantage in customer service within an e-commerce environment. Management is finding the topic to be timely and interesting, especially with the recent press about music downloads and copyright infringement. The Internet coupled with near transparent automatic identification and data capture/collection systems, to ensure accuracy of data input, has been the key enabler of these worldwide product design/delivery technologies. Application of Rogers' (1995) Diffusions of Innovations model, a conceptual model concerning the diffusion of innovation and technological acceptance, may lead to an important step in describing and capturing the essential elements of potential end-users' marketing acceptance. Leveraging the VPN concept of Gnutella through examination of the technology's strengths and weaknesses (although it is unreasonable to forecast the rate of adoption of peer-to-peer (P2P) Internet sharing characteristics) may generate useful insights to its development.