The influence of information ecology on e-commerce initiatives

Brian Detlor

doi:10.1108/10662240110402740

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Internet Research

ISSN: 1066-2243

Online from: 1991

Subject Area: Information and Knowledge Management

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The influence of information ecology on e-commerce initiatives

Document Information:
Title:	The influence of information ecology on e-commerce initiatives
Author(s):	Brian Detlor, (Brian Detlor is an Assistant Professor at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.)
Citation:	Brian Detlor, (2001) "The influence of information ecology on e-commerce initiatives", Internet Research, Vol. 11 Iss: 4, pp.286 - 295
Keywords:	Corporate strategy, Information resources management, Internet
Article type:	Case study
DOI:	10.1108/10662240110402740 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	MCB UP Ltd
Abstract:	This paper explores the influence of an organization’s information ecology, or internal information environment, on a firm’s electronic commerce initiatives and plans. To investigate this problem area, results are reported from a recent case study investigation on the adoption and use of a specific e-commerce initiative – namely a corporate portal – by 20 participants at a large Canadian company. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and field observations, while analysis comprised a variant form of grounded theory. Factors of the information ecology influencing portal utilization are identified. From these, implications are drawn to e-commerce solutions in general. Specific recommendations include the need to create a democratic steering committee to oversee the development of e-commerce solutions, gain support of upper management, and market and train organizational workers on the functionality and strategic importance of a company’s e-commerce initiatives and plans.