Electronic Business:
The Executive
Guide
Paul T. Kidd
2001, ISBN 1-901864-06-5
Preface
It is claimed that application of Internet and World Wide Web
technologies could lead to a radical revision of the business
environment. This belief is much talked about, but industrial
reality is very different outside the world of "dotcom"
companies. The pace of adoption of these technologies, although
proceeding at a rapid pace, does take time and not all applications
are suitable for all companies. In reality there is much hype
and many unrealistic expectations surrounding the Internet. Thus,
while the topic is certainly of great significance, in the end
what matters for business is the often forgotten question -
how can the Internet and associated technologies be used to improve
the long term competitive advantage of businesses?
- To answer this question firms need to
better understand the technologies, their potential applications
and ways they can be used to add value for customers, support
new strategies, and improve exiting operations.
-
- This Executive Guide is not about electronic
commerce (e-commerce) in the narrow sense of buying and selling
products over the Internet. The theme underlying this publication
is what IBM refer to as electronic business (e-business). At
the heart of this is the move away from analogue towards low-cost
digital technology and the linking of individual pieces of technology
(personal computers, embedded microprocessor system devices such
as set-top boxes) via networks such as the Internet. Both developments
enable functionality, ways of operating, and opportunities that
are either new or which hitherto have been uneconomic or too
difficult to achieve.
-
- This broader definition has more profound
impacts than electronic commerce in the narrow sense of buying
and selling via the Internet. E-business potentially impacts
products, business processes, strategies, and relationships with
customers, suppliers, distributors and competitors. It also has
the potential to blur the boundaries between industries and create
new industries and sectors.
-
- The potential of e-business is only limited
by the imagination of those who participate in its uptake and
application. However, before one can move forwards, senior executives
need to understand the issues and the many barriers that need
to be overcome. A significant obstacle is the tendency to view
information and communication technologies as the means of continuing
to do exactly what we do now, only faster and cheaper.
-
- This Executive Guide has been written
for executives to help them to understand the potential of e-business
and some of the issues involved. It has been written in a way
that is free of technical jargon and assumes no prior knowledge
of the Internet.
|