The Diffusion of Electronic Data Interchange

1. Introduction.- 1.1. Research Problem.- 1.2. Prior Research on Electronic Data Interchange.- 1.3. Main Goals of Research.- 1.4. Organization of Research.- 2. Electronic Data Interchange.- 2.1. Introduction.- 2.2. Foundations of EDI.- 2.2.1. Communication Theory.- 2.2.1.1. A Communication Model.- 2.2.1.2. Semantic Aspects of Communication between Human Agents.- 2.2.2. Database Theory.- 2.2.2.1. Database Architecture.- 2.2.2.2. Data Dictionary.- 2.2.3. EDI Communication Model.- 2.2.4. Concepts Related to EDI.- 2.2.4.1. Electronic Mail.- 2.2.4.2. Online Database Communication.- 2.2.4.3. Distributed Databases.- 2.2.4.4. Office Document Interchange.- 2.3. Requirements of EDI.- 2.3.1. Message Standards.- 2.3.1.1. Character Standards.- 2.3.1.2. Data Element Standards.- 2.3.1.3. Syntax Standards 46 2.3.1.3.1. ANSIX12.- 2.3.1.3.2. EDIFACT.- 2.3.1.3.3. Other Syntax Standards.- 2.3.2. Systems.- 2.3.2.1. Hardware.- 2.3.2.2. Software.- 2.3.3. Message Delivery.- 2.3.3.1. Conventional Methods.- 2.3.3.2. Using Value Added Network and Services.- 2.3.3.3. Using X.400.- 2.3.4. Operational Requirements.- 2.3.4.1. Object Identification.- 2.3.4.2. Legal Certainty.- 2.4. Business Implications of EDI.- 2.4.1. Overview.- 2.4.2. Direct Effects.- 2.4.2.1. Costs.- 2.4.2.2. Benefits.- 2.4.2.2.1. Reduced Transaction Costs.- 2.4.2.2.2. Improved Cash Flow.- 2.4.2.2.3. Reduced Inventory Levels.- 2.4.3. Indirect Effects and Opportunities.- 2.4.3.1. General Remarks.- 2.4.3.2. Customer Relation.- 2.4.3.3. Internal Efficiency.- 2.4.3.4. Supplier Relation.- 2.4.4. EDI and Just-In-Time.- 2.4.5. Conclusions.- 2.5. Utilization of EDI in Practice.- 2.5.1. Evolution of Standards.- 2.5.2. The Diffusion of EDI in Practice.- 2.5.3. A Sample EDI Application.- 3. The Aspect of Diffusion.- 3.1. Network Externalities.- 3.2. Diffusion of Innovations.- 3.2.1. Diffusion of Conventional Innovations.- 3.2.1.1. Introduction.- 3.2.1.2. The Pattern of Diffusion.- 3.2.1.3. The Rate of Diffusion.- 3.2.1.4. The Implementation Aspect of Diffusion.- 3.2.2. Diffusion of Innovations with Significant Network Externalities.- 3.3. Implications for the Diffusion of EDI.- 3.4. EDI Diffusion Research Framework.- 4. Empirical Investigation on Electronic Data Interchange.- 4.1. Project Overview.- 4.1.1. Introductory Remarks.- 4.1.2. Research Objectives.- 4.1.3. Research Hypotheses.- 4.1.3.1. Hypotheses Relative to Business Implications of EDI.- 4.1.3.2. Hypotheses Relative to Communication Aspects of EDI.- 4.1.3.3. Hypotheses Relative to Adoption, Implementation, and Diffusion of EDI.- 4.1.4. Research Design.- 4.1.4.1. Research Methodology.- 4.1.4.2. Empirical Referents of Research Variables.- 4.1.4.3. Data Analysis Methods.- 4.2. Preliminary Field Study.- 4.2.1. Study Objectives.- 4.2.2. Administration of Field Study.- 4.2.3. Findings of Field Study.- 4.3. Sample Survey.- 4.3.1. Identification of Research Population.- 4.3.2. Classification of Survey Participants.- 4.3.2.1. Industry Sector and Geographical Area.- 4.3.2.2. Functional Area and Hierarchical Position of Respondents.- 4.3.2.3. Organizational Size.- 4.3.2.4. Length of EDI Utilization.- 4.3.2.5. Volume of EDI Communication.- 4.3.2.6. Other Classification Criteria.- 4.3.3. Assessment of Sample Representativeness.- 4.3.4. Survey Findings and Hypotheses Testing.- 4.3.4.1. EDI-Decision Stage.- 4.3.4.2. Costs of EDI.- 4.3.4.2.1. Tangible Costs.- 4.3.4.2.2. Overview of Actual Costs Incurred.- 4.3.4.2.3. Intangible Costs.- 4.3.4.3. Benefits of EDI.- 4.3.4.3.1. Tangible Benefits.- 4.3.4.3.2. Intangible Benefits.- 4.3.4.4. Role of Value-Added Networks and Services.- 4.3.4.5. Diffusion and Future Evolution of EDI.- 5. Summary and Conclusions.- 5.1. Research Summary.- 5.2. Research Conclusions.- 5.2.1. Conclusions Relative to Business Implications of EDI.- 5.2.2. Conclusions Relative to Communication Aspects of EDI.- 5.2.3. Conclusions Relative to Adoption, Implementation, and Diffusion of EDI.- 5.3. Research Implications.- 5.4. Suggestions for Future Research.- List of Acronyms and Abbreviations.