Advances in information and communications technology have allowed for a wide range of electronic business models and applications. These applications are providing a competitive advantage for organizations by creating efficiencies and cost reductions. Electronic business should be part of the overall corporate strategy and be integrated into core business processes. This study provides interesting insights into electronic business applications in large corporations and discusses similarities and differences that exist between Swedish and American corporations.
This paper serves to specify and ground research into interfunctional integration in a wider theoretical context with particular reference to the interaction between technology and marketing in the biotechnology sphere. The general and specific problem areas are specified as those of interfunctional relations and the dyadic relationship between marketing and biotechnical managerial functions in particular. The contextual/organisational generative mechanisms that are likely to keep interfunctional relations at the centre of scholarly attention for some time are explored from the perspective of cybernetic theory. The law of requisite variety states that in an effective open system environmental variety is matched by internal structural variety. As organisations are faced with ever more turbulent, and complex environments, this must be matched by an increased internal complexity within the organisation. The two modes of response, namely holographic and mechanistic, both highlight the need to further our understanding of interfunctional differences. Having established the problem and its genesis, a specific research agenda is outlined as the exploration of the interfunctional differences from a decision-making perspective.
This paper aims to enhance the knowledge of business model development in the mobile service sector by exploring the underlying components of a business model for organizations within that industry. By drawing from business model literature combined with findings from a longitudinal case study of an iPhone application, a conceptual business model for mobile services was developed. Proposed model extends earlier frameworks by adding contingency aspects and the view of core resources into a dynamic business model. Findings from the study highlight the importance for application developers to have an overall resource strategy in order to support the sustainability of their business models. This is particularly important due to the rapid pace of change in the industry and the technology.
This paper presents the results of an exploratory study on consumption values. The aim of this study is to explore and compare desired consumption values of different mobile services. The results point out similarities as well as differences in desired consumption values of different mobile services.
An increasing number of organizations in the public sector are beginning to adopt e-procurement, which its benefits (e.g., to reduce costs through increased efficiency in the procurement function) are well known by businesses. The purpose of this paper is to assess the implementation of e-procurement concept within Swedish government authorities during 2001 and 2008. A qualitative research approach was applied, and a longitudinal study was conducted. Data were collected in 2001 and 2008 through structured personal telephone interviews with 15 central government agencies. Results show that the implementation of e-procurement has developed substantially during recent years, but Swedish government authorities have still not yet adopted and utilized e-procurement to its full potential. Benefits and challenges were identified. The implementation and use of e-procurement were also found to have an impact on the buying behavior, i.e., on the buying process, the selection criteria and the buying center.
Since customers are facilitated through the internet and many-to-many communication, they can easily and conveniently share their opinions with others. Anti-brand websites operate as forums for high-level empowered electronic word-of-mouth exchanges. This study has investigated the role of anti-brand websites on brand image. The scripted data of focus group discussions have been analyzed using Leximancer, a textual analysis tool, because it can recognize themes and concepts that show customers’ perspectives and determine the core concepts that are most highlighted or criticized by complainers and activists.
Word-of-mouth (WOM) communication is considered the most important, informal means of communication between consumers (Derbaix and Vanhamme 2003). An increasingly important extension of the traditional face-to-face WOM used by consumers is the electronic word of mouth (eWOM), especially with regard to how eWOM is used within today’s online social media outlets (Weisfeld-Spolter et al. 2014). Within the travel and tourism industry, eWOM has become vitally important, as consumers tend to trust information from consumer-generated (social) media more than information from service providers (Ip et al. 2012). This is particularly true for the younger generation of Internet users—the “e-generation,” who are “digital natives” and who have used digital technologies since they were kids. The aim of this study is to provide a better understanding on how today’s e-generation is using eWOM as tourists/travelers, from a multicultural perspective. In order to reach this aim, the following research questions are stated: (RQ1) How are e-generation consumers using eWOM when planning a trip?; (RQ2) How are e-generation consumers using eWOM during and after a trip?
Syftet med detta projekt är att identifiera affärsmodeller för mobila tjänster och att föreslå en meta-affärsmodell som kan tillvarata affärspotential genom samverkan mellan aktörer som tjänsteleverantörer, tjänsteförmedlare och kunder i ett större nätverk. I projektet samverkar forskare från fem forskningsområden (industriell marknadsföring, e-handel, redovisning & styrning, informatik, och industriell organisation) vid Luleå tekniska universitet (LTU) för att från sina respektive angreppsvinklar: Identifiera och beskriva affärsmodeller för mobila tjänster. Föreslå en meta-affärsmodell för att möjliggöra effektiva framtida affärer för mobila tjänsteleverantörer. Samla insamlade erfarenheter i ett white paper som kananvändas som stöd för utveckling av framgångsrika affärsmodeller för de deltagande företagen. Synliggöra vetenskapliga resultat i publikationer och presentationer. MeMo-projektet är finansierat av VINNOVA och genomförs i samarbete mellan LTU och TeliaSonera och ett antal av dess nuvarande och framtida tjänsteleverantörer. Genom Centrum för Distansöverbryggande Teknik (CDT) vid LTU och dess Living Lab-nätverk, når projektet ut till stora grupper av slutanvändare.
This paper aims to enhance the knowledge of business models in the mobile service sector by exploring their key mechanisms and underlying components. By combining the business model literature with empirical interview-based case studies of 69 business models in the mobile service sector, it illustrates the findings of a longitudinal case study of a business model design attached to an iPhone application. A model for managing business model design in an open innovation context of mobile services is proposed. The model extends earlier frameworks by adding contingency aspects and the view of core resources for addressing logics in the dynamic sector. Findings highlight the importance of ventures in the mobile service sector continually managing the business model design in order to support the sustainability of their business models.
Web 2.0 is not so much about new technologies as it is about new ways of using the internet and its associated technologies. In this article, we briefly describe the technological situation frequently referred to as Web 2.0, and distinguish it from its preceding phase, or "Web 1.0". Then, using the distinguishing characteristics of Web 2.0, we outline a framework that we call the "U-space" that can assist in identifying and classifying the opportunities and issues that will present themselves to entrepreneurs in the Web 2.0 environment. In conjunction with this, weoutline four short cases that illustrate this framework. We conclude by identifying some questions Web 2.0 entrepreneurs and those who teach entrepreneurship should answer in the utilization of the framework in the Web 2.0 milieu.
Electronic marketplaces (e-marketplaces) are new business venues for buying, selling, and supporting customers, products, and services in many industries. The emergence of business-to-business (B2B) e-marketplaces has opened up opportunities for efficient online transactions between firms. While large capital investments were made in numerous B2B e-marketplace initiatives, a significant number of these firms ended up going bankrupt. Today, many e-marketplaces are still struggling to survive and are trying to understand the characteristics of viable business models and strategies for becoming successful. Research within this field is scarce and provides only fragmented insights into the area. Thus, the research problem of this thesis was designed to investigate holistically how the business performance of a B2B e-marketplace can be analyzed. Based on literature review and a pilot study, four research questions were developed and a theoretical framework was then created. A qualitative research approach, investigating six B2B e-marketplaces in Europe and the US, was adopted. Results from this study indicate that differences exist between B2B e- marketplaces in several aspects of their strategic position; thus, the existing taxonomy of B2B e-marketplaces can be questioned. Findings also indicate that several factors can determine the success and/or the failure of B2B e-marketplaces. Having technological expertise and a critical mass of companies trading through the e-marketplace are crucial to the e- marketplace's success. Results also suggest that the common challenges facing B2B e-marketplaces are business related, rather than technically oriented. Major challenges e-marketplaces have to address to perform successfully include, for example, creating liquidity and keeping a balance between the diverse interests of stakeholders. Concerning the critical impact business model components have on the success and/or failure of B2B e-marketplaces, it could be concluded that the companies' internal capabilities and assets, in particular, as well as their cost and revenue model, have an important role to play. Finally, the outcome of the study shows it may be possible to utilize the emerged frame of reference as a foundation to understand B2B e-marketplaces holistically.
Beskrivning: I regeringens handlingsplan för e-förvaltning är målet att skapa en e-förvaltning som är så enkel som möjligt för så många som möjligt, och önskan är att Sverige ska ha en världsledande position inom området. Förutsättningarna finns; Sverige har en hög mognadsgrad när det gäller IT-användning och det finns ett relativt stort antal offentliga e-tjänster tillgängliga. Trots detta är användningen av offentliga e-tjänster inte så hög som den skulle kunna vara. Den låga användningen, liksom det faktum att förväntade resultat av satsningar på e-förvaltning inte har uppnåtts, kan delvis förklaras av otillräcklig förståelse för medborgarnas behov (Osimo et al., 2008). Tidigare forskning indikerar också att svensk offentlig förvaltning inte erbjuder nödvändiga och önskade e-tjänster till sina användare (Löfstedt, 2005; Salehi-Sangari, Wallström & Engström, 2008). Den kommunala sektorn representerar ca 70 % av den offentliga förvaltningen och kommunernas e-förvaltningsarbete är därför av största vikt för Sveriges utveckling inom området. En ökad användning av kommunala e-tjänster skulle bidra till att skapa en effektiv e-förvaltning. E-förvaltning är relativt nytt som forskningsfält och den forskning som finns är framförallt baserad på teorier inom informatik och systemvetenskap. Forskning som utgår från medborgarnas behov är mycket sällsynt (Huang, 2007). Detta trots att en viktig förutsättning för att satsningar på offentliga e-tjänster ska lyckas är att de tjänster som tas fram också accepteras och verkligen används av medborgarna (Kumar et al., 2007). För att kunna utveckla och införa e-tjänster som medborgarna accepterar och använder, samt för att öka användningen av de e-tjänster som redan har implementerats, är det viktigt att förstå vilka behov, beteenden och attityder medborgarna har och hur dessa kan påverkas.I det avseendet kan offentliga organisationer ta lärdom från det marknadsorienterade synsätt som växt fram inom marknadsföringsområdet. En marknadsorienterad organisation har en grundlig förståelse för kunders behov, för deras beteenden när de skaffar och använder produkter och tjänster och för faktorer som påverkar deras val av produkt/tjänst (Dibb et al., 2006). Syftet med denna studie är därför att med utgångspunkt från ett marknadsorienterat perspektiv identifiera medborgares behov, beteenden och attityder samt problem och möjligheter som medborgarna upplever relaterat till kommunala e-tjänster. Empiriska data kommer att samlas in genom ett antal fokusgruppintervjuermed medborgare från såväl storstäder som mindre kommuner, från olika delar av Sverige. Preliminära resultat från studien kommer att presenteras vid konferensen.
In order to increase usage of e-government services, there is a need for better understanding of factors driving citizens’ use of such services. This study addresses the following research problem: How do trust, perceived sacrifice, and optimism bias influence citizens’ intentions to use public e-services? A model of e-service adoption is proposed and tested on a random sample of Swedish citizens. The model confirms the influence of trust and optimism bias, and the results also suggest that perceived sacrifice in terms of time and effort can be a strong predictor of behavioral intentions.
In order to increase usage of e-government services, there is a need for better understanding of factors driving citizens’ use of such services. This study addresses two main objectives: (1) to assess the influence of trust, perceived sacrifice, and optimism bias on citizens’ intentions to use public e-services; (2) to assess the moderating influence of previous use on the relation-ships between trust, perceived sacrifice, optimism bias and intention to use public e-services. A model of e-service adoption is proposed and tested on a random sample of 422 Swedish citizens. The model confirms the influence of trust and optimism bias; however, trust seems to play a considerably more important role for non-users than for users. Results also suggest that perceived sacrifice in terms of time and effort can be a strong predictor of behavioral inten-tions. Furthermore, the negative effect of perceived sacrifice on the intention to use e-services is much stronger for those who have used service-related information on municipal web sites than for those who have not. For these citizens, the perceived sacrifice is not decreased by the degree to which they perceive themselves as more competent than the average Internet user. Hence, it will be difficult to retain users who have experienced an e-service as complicated and inefficient, even if these citizens are skilled Internet users. In turn, this may hamper the adoption of other e-services.
The recently published Swedish eGovernment Action Plan stresses that "the need of the user should always be an important starting-point in the efforts made by administrations to develop eServices." But, is that the picture communicated in the action plan? This article reflects critically on the action plan from a marketing perspective. The discussion focuses on citizens as consumers of public e-services and argues that benefits from a market-oriented approach could support organizations in their development of public e-services. Developing online services based on knowledge of citizens' needs, behaviors, and attitudes presents possibilities for creating customer-oriented services that increase productivity while delivering added value for citizens.
The supply of drinking water is a crucial and vulnerable element of the Swedish infrastructure. In the past few years it has suffered several crises due to contamination and waterborne diseases. Therefore, management of water crisis has become a highly topical issue for the country's municipalities, particularly after two recent outbreaks of cryptosporidium. This protozoan parasite is often spread through contaminated water and causes a parasitic disease that affects the intestines and typically causes an acute short-term infection. The largest known outbreak of cryptosporidium in drinking water occurred in 1993 in Milwaukee, US, where more than 400 000 people were infected. In Sweden, two large outbreaks have occurred during the past few years. The drinking water in Östersund, a mid-sized city with around 59 000 inhabitants, was infected with cryptosporidium in November 2010. The number of people infected reached approximately 27 000, and the outbreak lasted for 12 weeks. Just a few months afterwards, Skellefteå, with 71 000 inhabitants, had a similar experience. At least 20 000 people were infected in an outbreak lasting 20 weeks. This type of crisis affects many people for a long time, and effective communication, therefore, is essential to limit the impact of the crisis.
While branding strategies traditionally have been applied most extensively by profit driven businesses, brands are now also viewed as powerful tools for public organizations. More and more cities are using city branding to position themselves. A local government can for example develop city brands to attract and retain a growing number of inhabitants, businesses and visitors. Previous research shows that city brands can learn from existing knowledge in the area of corporate branding. Even though planning can be seen as one of the most important aspects in building a brand, research on internal brand building, (i.e., the activities that occur before the brand is implemented) and on the people involved in this process, is still scarce. The purpose of this study was to explore the internal corporate brand building process of a city brand and identify the brand team. An illustrative case of the internal brand building process for a city brand, which was initiated by a Swedish local government, was selected. Findings show that the three stages in the internal brand building process (i.e., brand audit, brand identity, and brand position statements) could be identified. However, results show that the repositioning of the city brand had to be done stepwise and the internal brand building process, including all three stages, was repeated already after five years. Findings indicate that internal as well as external members were included in the brand team. The Head of Development at the local government was found to be the central individual of the brand team, i.e., the brand champion.
An analysis of political cartoons of three well-known US political sex scandals is presented to examine how cartoons channel public perception in terms of the involvement of a prominent politician and the difference of opinion based on who the politician is, frame the organization of communal knowledge, and facilitate the grounds upon which some things can be said. On one side of the spectrum, theories of political cartoons presume that political cartoons reflect public attitudes about current events and that by studying cartoons surrounding a sex scandal, public attitudes toward such a scandal can be effectively understood. On the other side of the spectrum, theory argues that cartoons actually persuade and shape public attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. Three prominent former US politicians were selected for the analysis: Eliot Spitzer and the Emperor's Club Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky John Edwards and Rielle Hunter The criteria of narrative, location, binary struggle, and normative transfer were used as a framework to analyze 230 cartoons. The findings suggest that some politicians emerge relatively unscathed from scandals, others are seriously condemned, yet others are obscured or have their roles changed substantially. On the basis of the research criteria, it seems that public reactions and sentiments toward politicians' involvement in a scandal depend on what the scandal was about, where it occurred and what happened there, who the protagonists in the conflict were, and who the loser in the story was. June 2011 10.1002/pa.401 Special Issue Paper Special Issue