E-business Technologies Research Articles

Guarding privacy on the internet: privacy policy, government regulations and technology solutions

A vast array of goods and services are being advertised, bought and exchanged worldwide using the internet as a global marketplace. New e-business technologies have increased the ability of online merchants to collect, monitor, target and sell personal information about consumers to third parties. Online consumer privacy, therefore, has attracted the attention of regulators across the globe and poses a significant challenge to online marketers. The FTC has identified five 'core' privacy principles, which are widely accepted by leading countries. With the EU Directive already in force, trust seals and government regulations are the two leading forces pushing for more privacy disclosures. Undoubtedly, privacy should be protected, but the standard applied differs from country to country. Privacy legislation prevalent in the USA and the EU is surveyed in this paper. Currently, the only way consumers can stop the collection of their personal data is to 'opt-out' or configure the browser to reject 'cookies'. We have examined various privacy-enhancing technology solutions but there is no 'single' solution to stop the erosion of privacy in cyberspace. For corporations that collect and use personal information, ignoring privacy legislative and regulatory warning signs can prove to be a costly mistake.

Innovation and Adoption of Electronic Business Technologies

This paper presents a duopoly model of e-business technology adoption. A leader and a follower benefit from a new e-business technology with uncertain quality depending on its innovation and adoption cost and both firms’ adoption timing. When innovation and adoption require large set-up costs, the leader favors quick adoption by the follower. The follower prefers either late or no adoption. This is due to a delayed first-mover benefit which stems from an innovators’ capability to impose a new technology standard. It is shown that inter-firm adoption subsidies are a viable tool to quicken adoption.

Rethinking the knowledge bearing capacity of e-Business systems

Research was conducted in the area of sustainable knowledge extraction from e-business systems and technologies by exploring differentiating approaches from three notable authors seeking some common denominator to apply to a convergent approach in system conceptualization and design. It will be argued that most of e-business system upgrades and modification cost could be averted if the knowledge bearing capacity of proposed systems is realized and included as primary design parameters during the System Development Life Cycle. It will furthermore be argued that if this inclusive and integrative approach is followed it would lead to building a capacity to act that could be utilized for creating sustainable competitive advantage. Most e-Business system development is approached from an information processing and efficiency dimension, which more often than not exclude the knowledge utilization and effectiveness component as a design parameter. In most cases the primary focus is on information intensive functions, business process reengineering/automation and transaction processing whilst the use of information to discover knowledge assets and to innovate only comes into prominence after system implementation. This line of design thinking leads to the emergence of dominant designs which extend the scope for standardization whilst simultaneously limiting the scope for system variation. It will be proposed that re Boisot (1999), N-learning (neo-classical) thinking is normally dominant to S-learning (Schumpeterian) thinking during the e-business system design phase. The paper primarily draw on Max Boisot’s Evolutionary Production Function and I-Space theoretical approach, Donald Marchand’s Four Fundamental Principles of using Information to Create Business Value and Yogesh Malhotra’s model on Balancing Design and Emergence for EBusiness Model Innovation. A new construct called the Knowledge Prospect Domain (KPD) will be identified and introduced as a common denominator between the models of the three authors on which to ground the approach to new thinking on e-business system design. To facilitate argumentation an attempt will be made to position the extant status of e-business systems in the I-Space, referring to what will be proposed as proprietary technologies and emergent technologies.

An End-User Information Systems Curriculum for the 21St Century

This paper presents a model curriculum for students studying organizational and end-user information systems (OEIS). Developed by the Organizational Systems Research Association (OSRA), the curriculum contains seven required and six elective courses which are based on a foundation of general education and core business courses. Core courses include an introduction to OEIS; computer user support; planning, design, implementation, and evaluation; technical training and delivery methods; telecommunications and networking; cases in information technology; and an internship. The elective courses comprise eBusiness and web technologies, collaborative technologies and knowledge management, network administration, operating systems, information systems security, and special topics. College and university faculty members in a variety of disciplines are invited to consider this model when revising or expanding their information systems curricula.

The frontiers of eBusiness technology and supply chains

This article is an Introduction to this Special Issue on “eBusiness and Supply Chain Management.” It also provides a vision for eBusiness and supply chain for the future.

Remote control and maintenance outsourcing networks and its applications in supply chain management

The paper analyzes the impact of e-business technologies on maintenance management and supply chain operations. The aim of this work is to investigate the network organization level of supply chains in case of remote maintenance application and to understand how maintenance policies are coupled with information technology (IT) solutions. To this purpose two literature reviews are presented: firstly, on the supply chain and network integration, and then on the evolution of maintenance using information technology. Following this, the paper present four specific industrial case-studies of eMRO network organisation. They have been chosen as reference models from a set of practical applications and pilot tests performed by the authors in different production sectors in the last 5 years. Technology complexity environments, maintenance outsourcing level, and supply chain integration context are discussed for each case-studies with particular regards to the profitable forms of collaboration provided by the introduction of IT and the Web. This analysis work toward the development of a framework useful to: (1) classify different e-maintenance systems and understand the relationships between the different members of the network, and (2) identify the variables which can influence the introduction and development of the systems.

Utilizing e-business technologies in supply chains: The impact of firm characteristics and teams

This paper presents findings from an exploratory study that analyzes the drivers and outcomes of e-business technology use in the supply chain. Using a combination of case studies and survey data from a diverse sample of industries, the research examines how industry context, firm characteristics and firm-level strategic resources, such as purchasing teams, influence the exploitation of e-business technologies and the relationship between e-business technology use and firm performance. Based on a synthesis of related literatures from transaction cost economics and the relational view of the supply chain, a two-dimensional framework for e-business technology is proposed with transactional and relational dimensions. However, empirical analysis indicated that transactional technologies can be further subdivided into two factors: dyadic cooperation and price determination. Significant differences were found between the two dimensions in terms of their overall levels of adoption, with dyadic coordination being the most widely adopted. In addition, the development of strategic resources expanded, in particular internal and customer teams, the use of e-business technologies expanded. Purchasing organizational structure and firm size also were positively related to the adoption of transactional e-business technologies. Finally, of particular importance to practitioners, e-business technologies targeted at reducing dyadic coordination costs lead to improved financial performance.

Impact of eBusiness technologies on operational performance: The role of production information integration in the supply chain

While the information technology (IT) literature is mixed regarding the direct benefits of eBusiness technologies on performance, the impact of such technologies on supply chain practices remains largely an unexplored area of research. We hypothesize that while there may be no direct benefit of eBusiness technologies on performance, these technologies might support customer integration and supplier integration in the supply chain, which in turn might impact operating performance. To examine our hypotheses, we collected data from respondents who focused their responses to a single major product the process that manufactures it, a significant customer, and an important supplier. Our analyses showed that there was no direct benefit of eBusiness technologies on performance; however these technologies supported customer integration and supplier integration. Further, supplier integration was found to positively impact cost, quality, flexibility, and delivery performance; however there was no relationship between customer integration and performance. Consequently, there is a relationship between eBusiness technologies and supplier integration that leads to better performance. Further, there is an interactive effect between customer integration and supplier integration that supports the notion that firms that have both forms of integration, supported by eBusiness technologies, significantly outperform the others.

Barriers to supply chain information integration: SMEs adrift of eLands

The literature extols the potential benefits of supply chain integration and the crucial role of integrated eBusiness to deliver those benefits. However, adoption of eBusiness in supply chains has been slower than expected, particularly in small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper reports findings of a longitudinal study of four supply chains in different sectors over a 4-year period. Specifically it examines the barriers to adoption of eBusiness technologies and therefore to achievement of integrated information in supply chains. Differences between firms in supply chains and between supply chains are examined. The study reveals disparity between existing and planned use of eBusiness by larger downstream firms compared to upstream SMEs. The SMEs are cautious, only planning to invest in eBusiness if dominant downstream customers force them; however, they do not appreciate the full benefits to be gained from eBusiness adoption. The downstream larger businesses are forging ahead with eBusiness in ‘eIsolation’ and are not providing supply chain leadership. They are creating eLands with SMEs adrift of them.

An empirical study of the impact of e-business technologies on organizational collaboration and performance

The use of e-business technologies between supply chain organizations has been thematic in recent literature. Organizational collaboration, the foundation of supply chain management, has been enabled by the development and use of e-business technologies. Organizational collaboration and information sharing, in turn, are expected to improve organizational performance. We propose and test a model of the relationship between organizational use of e-business technologies, organizational collaboration, and performance, using empirical data. Our model differs from past studies in that collaboration is viewed as two unique constructs, differentiating between intra- and inter-organizational collaboration. Our findings show that use of e-business technologies impacts performance both directly and indirectly by promoting both measures of collaboration. Intra-firm collaboration is also found to have a direct impact on organizational performance. However, the impact of inter-organizational collaboration on performance is found to be only indirect, through the impact of intra-organizational collaboration. These findings reveal the complexity of organizational collaboration, underscore the importance for companies to promote internal collaboration, and invest in information technologies that facilitate it.

E-supply chains: understanding current and future opportunities and barriers

This paper examines the development of e-business within the supply chain domain. Case study research highlights an increased uptake of e-business across supply chains, outlines a shift in focus to more strategic activities across the whole supply chain network and reveals emerging characteristics of e-supply chains. A number of strategic opportunities that can be supported through e-supply chains are identified. Firstly, e-business technologies are being used for integrating supply chain-related systems leading to improved information sharing and visibility. Secondly, they are being used to increase the flexibility of supply chains and thirdly, to improve the level of personalisation in supply chains. Organisations are, however, likely to face a range of organisational, security, technological, cultural and social barriers that may challenge the use of e-supply chains. The paper closes by evaluating the importance of e-supply chains, the direction they are likely to go in and identifying areas for future research.

E-Business Adoption in SMEs

The lack of anticipated engagement in e-business by Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) is a rising concern to the UK government and service providers alike. This article is based on the e-adoption model to examine the current practice of e-business technology adoption in SMEs and the driving forces for and against the adoption. Through interviews with 40 owner managers in the electronic components industry, the article reveals that most of the small firms in this industry are at the lower level of the “e-adoption ladder”—predominantly using the Internet and e-mail. SMEs in this industry have not yet widely engaged in online transactions. The current level of adoption is driven by both internal and external factors, including operational benefits, industry common practice, and peer pressure. External forces such as a lack of push from suppliers and customers and a lack of strategic vision of using advanced e-business technology for competitive advantages have determinant effects on the level and scale of e-adoption in SME sector. The e-adoption ladder model is modified by incorporating the influential factors identified within this study. The findings have many implications for researchers, service providers, and policy makers.

Structure, function and evaluation of SME service transactions: a multimethod approach

Given the low rate of e-business technology adoption by Australian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), a customer's experience of a business is still largely based on face-to-face transactions. The conduct of these transactions will be critical to the continued well-being of an SME. This paper describes a methodological pilot study that utilises a novel multimethod approach consisting of systemic functional linguistics, qualitative analysis, and Q methodology for the detailed structural, functional and evaluative analysis of service encounters. The purpose of this paper is to describe and exemplify these techniques and to show how complementary they are in practice. We use loan and return transactions from a library to illustrate the fine-grained nature of this approach for analysing workpractices in the form of face-to-face service transactions.

Modelling e-business processes: a component-based simulation approach

With new and emerging e-business technologies to transform business processes, it is important to understand how those technologies will affect the performance of a business. Will the overall business process be cheaper, faster and more accurate or will a sub-optimal change have been implemented? The use of simulation to model the behaviour of business processes is well established, and it has been applied to e-business processes to understand their performance in terms of measures such as lead-time, cost and responsiveness. This paper introduces the concept of simulation components that enable simulation models of e-business processes to be built quickly from generic e-business templates. The paper demonstrates how these components were devised, as well as the results from their application through case studies.

A Manufacturing Supply Chain Business Model and Its Implementation in a Plastics Manufacturing Company

Effective inventory management strategies and their efficient implementation are recognized as important elements in a manufacturer’s business model. The targets are reduction of the level and value of inventory maintained, high speed in transforming them to orders delivered to customers and flexibility in dealing with demand changes. This paper proposes a business model for inventory management in a Hong Kong plastic products manufacturing company with production facilities located in the mainland. It shows how E-business technology applications have opened up the horizon for realization of such a business model. A supply chain strategy based on mutual trust and inventory information visibility is essential in the implementation of such a business model. The model has been found to be valid and feasible. The benefits attainable to parties in the supply chain are evaluated. It is proposed that the model can also be applied successfully for similar benefits in other companies.

A strategic case for e-adoption in healthcare supply chains

A growing body of literature suggests that greater benefits of e-business will be obtained when e-business is integrated throughout a supply chain. However, organizations are still cautious in adopting e-business technologies. This paper examines whether a strategic case for e-commerce can be recognised and the factors that influence e-adoption, using e-business development models, a contingency approach and a stakeholder approach. The paper explores the link of e-commerce with strategy and the potential strategic benefits, risks and problems. This paper analysed e-adoption in four diverse healthcare supply chains in the context of the English National Health Service (NHS). The fieldwork showed there is of limited use of e- in supply chains; there are key problems associated with perceived benefits and costs by different actors both within organisations and within the chain. The paper proposes a framework to link the case for e-commerce with the achievement of strategic objectives across three inter-related domains—health, supply and business.

Intelirel's Transition to E-Business

Intelirel is a U.S.-based multinational corporation that produces a variety of items with apparel as one of the business divisions. This case provides an overview of Intelirel’s transition to electronic business (e-business) of its apparel division. The company introduced the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) technologies in the mid-1980s. Before starting the implementation of e-business technologies in the late-1990s, the company conducted extensive surveys to assess the attractiveness and convertibility of its various market segments. The analysis of the surveys indicated that a strategic imperative for the company is to optimally combine EDI and the Internet so as to reap the benefits of both technologies.

The differences of B2C and B2B workflow exception handling

As business competition is getting stronger companies are seeking good relationships with their clients through the Internet technologies. The type of this relationship (B2Cor B2B) usually dependson the business strategy of this company. Using e-business technologies companies expect quick and qualitative contact with clients. Still, the quality of this solution depends on many aspects, but the main is application performance. The medium for these applications is Internet and it is not always reliable through all the engagement process. This paper is dedicated to the distinctions of B2C and B2B e-business application exception handling in a user friendly way.

The Grid as a Healthcare Provision Tool

This paper presents a survey on HealthGrid technologies, describing the current status of Grid and eHealth and analyzing them in the medium-term future. The objective is to analyze the key points, barriers and driving forces for the take-up of HealthGrids. The article considers the procedures from other Grid disciplines such as high energy physics or biomolecular engineering and discusses the differences with respect to healthcare. It analyzes the status of the basic technology, the needs of the eHealth environment and the successes of current projects in health and other relevant disciplines. Information and communication technology (ICT) in healthcare is a promising area for the use of the Grid. There are many driving forces that are fostering the application of the secure, pervasive, ubiquitous and transparent access to information and computing resources that Grid technologies can provide. However, there are many barriers that must be solved. Many technical problems that arise in eHealth (standardization of data, federation of databases, content-based knowledge extraction, and management of personal data ...) can be solved with Grid technologies. The article presents the development of successful and demonstrative applications as the key for the take-up of HealthGrids, where short-term future medical applications will surely be biocomputing-oriented, and the future of Grid technologies on medical imaging seems promising. Finally, exploitation of HealthGrid is analyzed considering the curve of the adoption of ICT solutions and the definition of business models, which are far more complex than in other e-business technologies such ASP.

Technology transfer: combining educational resources and industrial experience

This paper presents a unique approach for training executives and professionals in e-business technologies. The approach, which de-obligates industrial offset credits, is used to provide knowledge transfer in countries that have industrial cooperation agreements with the USA. The approach forces public and private cooperation with private sector leadership; hence, the incentives are proper to ensure that appropriate value-added knowledge is transferred. The approach is demonstrated with an actual industrial cooperation project that was executed with the Boeing company in the Republic of China. The project was an overwhelming success, suggesting that this approach is useful for transferring knowledge to executives through international relationships.