Global e-commerce

Are the Internet and e-commerce truly revolutionizing business practice? This book explodes the transformation myth by demonstrating that the Internet and e-commerce are in fact being adapted by firms to reinforce their existing relationships with customers, suppliers, and business partners. Detailed case studies of eight countries show that, rather than creating a borderless global economy, e-commerce strongly reflects existing local patterns of commerce, business, and consumer preference, and its impact therefore varies greatly by country. Paradoxically, while e-commerce is increasing the efficiency, effectiveness, and competitiveness of firms, it is also increasing the complexity of their environments as they have to deal with more business partners and also face greater competition from other firms. This incisive analysis of the diffusion and impact of e-business provides academic researchers, graduates, and MBA students with a solid basis for understanding its likely evolution.

Review of the hardback: 'A model for the potential of international collaboration, Global e-Commerce represents an empirical landmark for the cross-national comparative study of electronic commerce. It will be a centrepiece for courses, and inform debate over the role of the Internet in social and economic development.' William H. Dutton, Director of the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, Review of the hardback: 'The world is not yet flat; it is bumped and dimpled. In this, the first comprehensive study of the international adoption and adaptation of the Internet, the authors find that rates and applications vary among countries. All subsequent research on the globalization of e-commerce must refer to this foundational work.' Richard Mason, Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, Review of the hardback: 'E-commerce plays an important role in global expansion strategies seeking to tap into new growth opportunities. Global e-commerce sorts out the 'noise' of e-commerce and creates a solid knowledge base which companies can leverage in constructing their growth initiatives.' Nancy Burchfield, Technology Industry Consultant, Review of the hardback: 'This is the definitive book on the diffusion and adoption of e-commerce/e-business, using a process oriented model. It is the most authoritative and scientific analysis of the current level of e-commerce, with 200 in-depth interviews carefully selected from representative samples in ten countries. It is strongly recommended to scholars, managers and policy makers, who will all benefit from the lessons and insights provided in this groundbreaking book.' Niels Bjørn-Andersen, Director of the Center for Electronic Commerce, Copenhagen Business School, Review of the hardback: '… an informative and fascinating reference. In an ambitious study of eBusiness practices and associated value generation, eBusiness adoption and evolution are analyzed for ten developed and developing countries. Kraemer, Dedrick, Melville, and Zhu have created an eBusiness Atlas that provides a valuable resource for IT strategic planners, economic development planners and policy makers.' Phil Tierney, Intel Innovation Centre

Kenneth L. Kraemer is a Professor at the Paul Merage School of Business and at the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine. He is also Director of the Center for Research on Information Technology and Organizations (CRITO) and Director of the Personal Computing Industry Center (PCIC). Jason Dedrick is Co-Director of the Personal Computing Industry Center and Senior Research Fellow at CRITO, University of California, Irvine. Nigel P. Melville is Assistant Professor of Business Information Technology at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. Kevin Zhu is Assistant Professor at the Paul Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine.