Regional Themes
Regional Themes
In general, the topics of the chapters in this section relate to a specific single country setting. In Chapter XI, Al-Wohaibi, Masoud, and Edwards present factors related to the implementation of information systems and Information Technology in Omani government organizations. Hocking, in Chapter XII, discusses the computerization of the creation process and access to legislation in Tasmania. Hong Kong is the setting for Chapter XIII, where Chau and Liu identify key factors that influence electronic data interchange adoption in small to medium sized
enterprises
. In Chapter XIV, Yoo, Suh, and Lee discuss factors that enhance member participation in virtual communities in Korea. Ratnasingam, in Chapter XV, explores inter-organizational trust in small to medium
sized
firms in New Zealand. Stylianou, Robbins, and Jackson, in Chapter XVI, investigate Chinese business managers' perceptions of e-commerce. In Chapter XVII, Chang and Gable identify issues
related
to implementation, management, and support of enterprise resource planning systems in government organizations in Queensland, Australia. The final chapter, by Seliem, Ashour, Khalil, and Millar investigates information system effectiveness in Egypt.
Section I:
Global Themes
Chapter List
-
Chapter 1: Information Technology and the Internationalization of the Firm
-
Chapter 2: Cultural Differences in E-Commerce: A Comparison between the U.S. and China
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Chapter 3: Initial E-Commerce Efforts in Nine Least Developed Countries: Review of National Infrastructure, Business Approaches, and Product Selection
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Chapter 4: A Contigency Theory for Online Consumer Retention: The Role of Online Shopping Habit
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Chapter 5: Software and Culture: Beyond the Internationalization of the Interface
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Chapter 6: Culture, Information Technology Choice and Empowerment: Revisiting the Interplay
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Chapter 7: Using a GSS to Support Virtual Team-Building: A Theoretical Framework
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Chapter 8: An Exploratory Study and Design of Cross-Cultural Impact of Information Systems Managers' Performance, Job Satisfaction and Managerial Value
-
Chapter 9: STP Technology and Global Financial Market: An Assessment Framework and a Case Study
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Chapter 10: Evolutionary Stages of E-Tailers and Retailers: Firm Value Determinants Model
Chapter 1:
Information Technology and the Internationalization of the Firm
Michael J. Mol, Nijmegen University, The Netherlands
Otto R. Koppius, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Copyright 2004, Idea Group Inc. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of Idea Group Inc. is
prohibited
.
Abstract
A key concern for all multinationals is where to find a suitable location for their business activities,
bearing
in mind that they must find the right balance between global integration and local responsiveness. This article
contributes
to the internationalization debate by asking: in what sense will information technology enable globalization? We focus on the sourcing process, an area where globalization is often claimed to be the case. Re-examination of empirical evidence shows that global sourcing is not as
generally
predominant as is claimed. Consequently inhibitors to global integration exist and we classify these inhibitors into three categories: geographical, relational and environmental inhibitors. We then analyze the role information technology plays in reducing these
inhibitors
and
formulate
propositions
that are then
illustrated
in two case studies. Information technology is proposed to reduce the geographical and relational inhibitors, but it will have no effect on environmental inhibitors. However, the latter category of inhibitors will become more prominent in the future. Information technology thus shifts the balance towards global integration, but
simultaneously
creates new problems in managing internationalization.