EC of groceries for elderly and disabled: A comparison of alternative service models

Abstract

Increased demand for organized home help for elderly and disabled people and parallel budget cuts of social care require new efficient solutions to save home‐helpers’ time and ensure the current quality of provided services. A number of trials for renewing grocery purchasing process as a part of home help for the elderly and disabled have lately been initiated in Finland. In all but one of these trials electronic commerce (EC) services are included in the purchase process. In this article we compare these trials using the time efficiency of home‐helpers as a primary criterion. Using electronic order delivery gives even additional benefits, releasing the home‐helper from the need to visit the grocery store. The Full EC Model would be the best solution. However, it might not be feasible for most customers, who do not necessarily have the technology or ability to use it. Therefore, the intermediary based EC seems to be most suitable for this customer group.

Citation

Heikkilä, J., Kallio, J., Saarinen, T. and Kristiina Tuunainen, V. (1999), "EC of groceries for elderly and disabled: A comparison of alternative service models", Information Technology & People, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 389-402. https://doi.org/10.1108/09593849910301649