Organizational Transformation Using Electronic Data Interchange: The Case of TradeNet in Singapore.

Author List: Teo, Hock-Hai; Tan, Bernard C. Y.; Wei, Kwok-Kee;
Journal of Management Information Systems, 1997, Volume 13, Issue 4, Page 139-165.
This study illustrates how electronic data interchange (EDI) could be used in conjunction with organizational transformation to generate phenomenal gains in organizational efficiency and effectiveness. It reviews the current literature on information-technology-enabled organizational transformation to identify key variables for measuring organizational change. It employs the case research method to examine TradeNet, a well-established EDI system in Singapore. It discusses how the Trade Development Board (TDB) of Singapore has taken advantage of the TradeNet opportunity to drastically transform its own organizational structure, business processes, business network, and business scope. The organizational transformation that accompanied TradeNet implementation resulted in significant gains for both the public and the private sector in Singapore. TDB and other public-sector organizations gained in terms of increased productivity in carrying out their organizational functions. The trading community, comprising the private-sector organizations, benefited in terms of increased competitiveness. Change-point analyses carried out on annual organizational and performance figures confirmed the productivity increases at TDB. Analyses of the results of questionnaires administered to TradeNet participants confirmed the increased competitiveness experienced by the trading community. Noteworthy lessons from this study, important for EDI implementation, are a willingness to change existing mindset, to institute radical transformation, to leverage knowledge and technology, and to foster win-win situations. This study demonstrates that the use of IT, or EDI in particular, for organizational transformation could lead to phenomenal gains.
Keywords: electronic data interchange; information technology; organizational transformation; trade administration; TradeNet.
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List of Topics

#212 0.169 business digital strategy value transformation economy technologies paper creation digitization strategies environment focus net-enabled services processes insights challenges key response
#1 0.119 organizational organizations effectiveness factors managers model associated context characteristics variables paper relationships level attention environmental technological based maturity organization's relationship
#101 0.113 edi electronic data interchange b2b exchange exchanges interorganizational partners adoption transaction trading supplier factors business suppliers impact network commerce efficiency
#148 0.102 productivity information technology data production investment output investments impact returns using labor value research results evidence spillovers industries analysis gains
#185 0.095 change organizational implementation case study changes management organizations technology organization analysis successful success equilibrium radical efforts initiatives managing resistance individuals
#79 0.087 public government private sector state policy political citizens governments contributors agencies issues forums mass development organizations issue differences economic study
#209 0.074 results study research information studies relationship size variables previous variable examining dependent increases empirical variance accounting independent demonstrate important addition
#82 0.061 case study studies paper use research analysis interpretive identify qualitative approach understanding critical development managerial elements exploring points positivist presents
#86 0.060 methods information systems approach using method requirements used use developed effective develop determining research determine assessment useful series critical existing