Trust, power and interorganizational information systems: the case of the electronic trading community TransLease

Abstract

Abstract. This paper focuses on Cap Gemini’s electronic commerce system, TransLease. TransLease is an interorganizational information system (IOS), which facilitates electronic commerce between motor vehicle leasing and repair companies. During our investigation, the system was used by approximately 1000 repair agents working for seven of the UK’s leading vehicle leasing and contract hire companies. This system was originally developed by AT&T and acquired by Cap Gemini in July 1998. At the time of acquisition, the system was seen as being of high strategic value, although it was also seen as underperforming. This paper reports the results of an action research project, which formed one element of the process by which Cap Gemini investigated the former problem. In the paper, TransLease is described as a complex electronic community, dependent upon the existence of symbiotic relationships. As such, the problems that the system users and developers experienced can be attributed to factors that impeded the mutual benefit accruing from participation in the system. The efficacy of the terms of exchange and the degree to which participants mutually benefit through electronic interaction is determined by the complex interplay of a number of relational and organizational factors. The research therefore illustrates the importance of the ‘soft’ organizational issues in IOS management and development, and suggests a conceptual model of the factors relevant in this case. At the time of this study, TransLease was still in the early stages of its life cycle, having only been available in the marketplace for approximately 18 months. During this time, through recognizing the complex problems and issues detailed in this paper, Cap Gemini accordingly redressed the way in which the system was managed and maintained. TransLease is now seen as having matured into a highly successful example of an IOS – a view reflected by its position as market leader in the industry. As this paper will show, the key to improving the existing service has been the emphasis Cap Gemini now places on managing the ‘soft’ aspects of the electronic community.

Electronic interaction research 1988 – 2012 through the lens of the Bled eConference

“…Some authors have used it as a general descriptor (e.g. Gates 1999), and others have applied it within specific contexts such as Business-to-Business (B2B) and Inter-Organisational Systems (IOS) (Cunningham and Tynan 1993;Grilo et al 1996;Allen et al 2000;Lucas 2002), and in marketing (Watson et al 2000;Blazevic and Lievens 2008). We use the term in a less restrictive fashion even than, for example, Grilo et al, in that the interactions do not need to be between organisations.…”

Design Science Research and the Grounded Theory Method: Characteristics, Differences, and Complementary Uses

“…For example, design science research is a more general research approach that has been combined in the past with research methods such as action research (e.g., Allen, et al 2000). We suggest that design science research may also be used in combination with the grounded theory method.…”

“…Hence, many different research methods can be used within a design science research project. Examples in the extant literature show that design science research can be combined with action research (e.g., Allen et al 2000), ethnography (e.g., Baskerville et al 2001), and other research methods. In summary, we derive the following characteristic of design science research: DSR-4: Design science research is a general research approach with a set of defining characteristics and can be used in combination with different research methods.…”

“…The latter authors criticize this finding and call for more design science research that is carried out within an interpretive or social constructionist perspective. In a way, by combining design science research with anti-positivistic research methods such as action research or ethnography, IS scholars have already made attempts to bridge the gap between the two camps and work towards a pluralistic research tradition (Allen, et al 2000, Baskerville, et al 2001. However, the majority of design science research is purely positivistic.…”

Pre-requisites of successful strategic electronic coordination: the moderation effect of the ownership mechanism of inter-organisational information systems

“…The insignificance of SITINV and BITINV variables in our model can be attributed to that fact that the IT investments only lead to the desired outcomes when both parties in the dyad invest in a common IT system simultaneously or if the IT investments are coupled with such factors as, for example, trust (Ibbott & O'Keefe, 2004) or power-dependency structures (Allen et al, 2000). Dummy variables that are included in the two interaction effects have neither demonstrated a strong statistical significance in our model.…”