C. Ranganathan

Key dimensions of business-to-consumer web sites

The rapid growth in the electronic commerce over the Internet has fuelled predictions and speculations about what makes a business-to-consumer (B2C) web site effective. Yet, there are very few empirical studies that examine this issue. We examined the key characteristics of a B2C web site as perceived by online consumers. Based on a questionnaire survey of 214 online shoppers, we empirically derived four key dimensions of B2C web sites: information content, design, security, and privacy. Though all these dimensions seem to have an impact on the online purchase intent of consumers, security and privacy were found to have greater effect on the purchase intent of consumers. The implications of the findings for online merchants are discussed.

Assimilation and Diffusion of Web Technologies in Supply-Chain Management: An Examination of Key Drivers and Performance Impacts

A key reason for the popularity of integrated supply-chain management (SCM) is that Web technologies have made supply-chain coordination a viable managerial and strategic option. Building on research in the areas of management information science, supply chains, and organizational innovation, this study explores the use of Web technologies for organizational SCM. Based on an extensive survey of North American organizations, it investigates the assimilation of Web technology systems into internal supply-chain functions and their external diffusion into interorganizational supply-chain networks, and also explores the relevant environmental determinants. The findings suggest that internal assimilation and external diffusion of Web technologies both significantly affect the benefits realized by SCM. Supplier interdependence and information technology (IT) intensity are important environmental factors affecting external diffusion. Organizational factors, such as centralization and formalization of the IT unit structure and high levels of managerial IT knowledge, are significant drivers of Web technology assimilation in the SCM function.

Adopters and non-adopters of business-to-business electronic commerce in Singapore

Although there has been an increase in research studies of business-to-business (B2B) electronic commence (e-commerce), most studies were carried out in the United States or Europe. There are very limited studies on B2B e-commerce in the Asian context. Our effort examined Web-based B2B e-commerce initiatives in Singapore, an island of 650 km2 in South-East Asia. Data were collected from 108 firms using a mail survey, which showed that 52.8% firms have adopted B2B e-commerce; of these, two-third had a formal plan and/or task force for B2B e-commerce deployment. Customer-related applications were generally more common than supplier-related applications. Problems in B2B e-commerce adoption included the difficulty of measuring benefits, fear of granting suppliers and customers access to corporate systems and insufficient time for staff to develop new skills in e-commerce. Implications of the results are discussed.

Key Dimensions of Inhibitors for the Deployment of Web-Based Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce

There has been a rapid increase in the number of firms undertaking business-to-business (B2B) electronic commerce (e-commerce) initiatives. Although there are various benefits to B2B e-commerce, there are also inhibitors to its deployment. This study empirically investigates the inhibitors for deploying Web-based B2B e-commerce applications in organizations. A field survey of senior IT executives was conducted to examine the key problems that inhibit the deployment of Web-based B2B e-commerce. A comprehensive list of inhibitors was derived from an extensive review of the literature and pretested with senior IT executives. Data from 249 firms were factor analyzed to yield the underlying structural dimensions of inhibitors impacting the deployment of Web-based B2B e-commerce. Univariate t-test and multivariate discriminant analysis were carried out on the resulting ten dimensions to compare B2B (i.e., firms who have deployed B2B) and non-B2B firms (i.e., firms who have not deployed B2B). The results suggest that key inhibitors in B2B deployment are the lack of top management support, unresolved technical issues, the lack of e-commerce strategy, and the difficulties in cost-benefit assessment of e-commerce investments. Implications of the results for researchers and IT/engineering management executives are discussed

A survey of business process reengineering practices in Singapore

The changing economic environment has led to an increasing interest in improving organizational processes to enhance business performance. This paper presents the results of a survey of the business process reengineering (BPR) practices followed by firms in Singapore. The paper highlights the status of BPR projects, motives behind their efforts, the functional areas targeted for reengineering, roles of various organizational members in BPR programs, use of IT in BPR, and the main problems faced in the efforts of Singapore firms. The results show that about 50% of firms surveyed were engaged in BPR projects, with as many as 37% of the firms indicating their intention to take up BPR projects in the next few years. Main problems faced by the Singapore firms are the lack of human and financial resources, lack of internal IT expertise and capabilities, and lack of a champion for BPR efforts. These findings are compared to prior studies in the US and elsewhere. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications based on the findings of the survey.

Web-enabled supply chain management: Key antecedents and performance impacts

Abstract Despite increased interest and growing investments in web-based supply chain management (SCM) applications, firms face numerous challenges in successfully web-enabling their SCM activities. In this research, we focus on two main objectives – (i) to understand the key antecedents that affect the web-enablement of SCM activities; (ii) to document the performance impacts of web-enabled SCM efforts. Based on a large-scale, questionnaire survey of North American organizations, we assessed the influence of six factors namely – supplier synergy, information intensity, managerial IT knowledge, interoperable IT infrastructure, perceived IT returns on investments (ROI) and formal governance mechanisms – on the extent of web-enabled SCM. Our results revealed a strong positive influence of supplier synergy, information intensity, managerial IT knowledge, inter-operability and formal governance mechanisms on the extent of web-enabled SCM. We also found a negative association between relative cost–benefit perceptions and the extent of web-enabled SCM. Further, we also found strong positive association between extent of web-enabled SCM and the benefits realized from SCM efforts. We discuss the implications of our results for research and practice.

A framework for stakeholder oriented mindfulness: case of RFID implementation at YCH Group, Singapore

Implementation of innovative technology in organizations is often fraught with challenges. Past literature on mindfulness suggests that mindful implementation of innovative solutions facilitates success and enhances effectiveness for the organization. Integrating insights from the mindfulness and stakeholder perspectives, we present and analyze a longitudinal case study of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) implementation at YCH Group, a leading logistics provider in the Asia-Pacific region. Our objectives are to examine key attributes of mindfulness as well as identify specific organizational routines that fostered mindfulness at YCH that ultimately paved the way for effective implementation of RFID technology. Important lessons can be learnt from how YCH instituted organizational routines that enabled them to mindfully implement RFID, by explicitly considering both internal and external stakeholders.

Crafting and executing an offshore IT sourcing strategy: GlobShop's experience

This teaching case discusses the decisions facing GlobShop, a global travel-retail company, in its efforts to offshore a significant portion of its information technology (IT) work. In response to the business challenges that arose due to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the company decided to outsource many of its IT activities to an Indian vendor. This case traces the key decisions made by the CIO and the challenges that were encountered during the planning and execution of the companys offshore sourcing strategy. These decisions pertain to the choice of tasks to be offshored, decisions about the vendor and the nature of sourcing arrangement, managing the vendor relationship and change management issues induced by offshoring. As GlobShop nears the completion of its 3-year agreement with the offshore vendor, the CIO is faced with decisions regarding continuing offshore outsourcing, extending the contract and related implications for the future of IT organization at GlobShop.

Boundary spanning in offshored ISD projects: a project social capital perspective

Offshore outsourcing of information systems application development (ISD) has grown tremendously in the past decade. Executing such projects requires collaboration from project participants across the client and vendor firms, located in different countries. However, orchestrating effective collaboration, across teams separated by geographic, organizational and cultural contexts, has emerged as a significant challenge in managing offshored projects. In this research, we examine the usefulness of boundary spanning in addressing this challenge. Specifically, we focus on the role of client project manager as a boundary spanner, connecting the distributed team members from both client and vendor firms, and facilitating expertise sharing and coordination. We present a multi-dimensional conceptualization of the boundary spanning activities of the client project manager. Utilizing an organizational capital perspective, we examine capital generated in offshore project teams through boundary spanning, as a potential mechanism through which boundary spanning effects successful project outcomes.

Information technology personnel layoffs in US organizations: An exploratory investigation

The new century has been marked by an unprecedented number of layoffs of IT personnel. But despite the increasing industry concerns over IT worker downsizing, the knowledge base and scholarly literature on IT personnel layoffs has been sparse. This paper suggests some exploratory, descriptive insights into such downsizing efforts. Data on 569 layoff events in the US for years 2000 and 2001 were gathered and analyzed to help gain an understanding of the phenomenon. We examined the trends in IT personnel layoffs over time, across different industries, their nature and extent, the stated reasons given for downsizing and the financial environment of firms laying off IT workers. The findings and their implications are discussed.