On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, the journal
Electronic Markets
offered an opportunity to reflect on research published in recent years in the journal and in Bled eConference proceedings. The ...present paper continues research from 2012 onward, following the research paper published on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Bled eConference. Altogether, titles, keywords and abstracts of 211 papers from Electronic Markets journal and 356 papers from Bled eConference proceedings were used in the research. Automatic content analysis was done using Leximancer software. The results provided a broad overview of concepts and themes covered in both the Electronic Markets journal and the Bled eConference proceedings. Results revealed the following overlapping themes: “information,” “service,” “business,” “online,” “social,” and “systems”. The four most important themes in Electronic Markets (“information,” “service,” “business,” and “online”) are also important and well covered in Bled eConference proceedings. In addition to the results of the analysis, the present paper also discusses future research challenges and the role of the Electronic Markets journal and the Bled eConference in bridging the gap between science and real-life challenges.
Information technology (IT) can have a direct and indirect impact on business performance. New technologies change the risks at the strategic and governing levels of an enterprise. In the age of ...digitalization, we need to develop new understandings and approaches to governance and management. The most established IT governance (ITG) models, such as COBIT, ITIL and CMMI, are universal, one-size-fits-all models that are not in line with contingency theory and are predominantly designed for large multinational enterprises. They are too cumbersome and cost-intensive for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to use effectively. Therefore, there is a need to develop more efficient models that are contingency-based and easier to implement than existing models and thus adaptable to the actual needs of the business. This paper presents an empirical evaluation of key ITG mechanisms from the literature that clearly shows that several are not universally but situationally necessary, thus demonstrating the need for new contingency-based ITG models.
Abstract Background and Purpose Digitalization brings a wide range of opportunities for both digital and sustainable transformation. One of the first steps on this journey is the digitization of ...business documents and digitalization of business processes. The European Commission has recognised the advantages of digitalization, particularly in the context of e-invoicing, which can contribute significantly to economic prosperity and align with public policy goals such as deficit reduction and sustainable development. Despite the successful adoption of e-invoicing in the public sector, the uptake of e-invoicing in business-to-business (B2B) transactions is surprisingly low. This research focuses on Slovenia, a small European country that imple-mented e-invoicing as mandatory between enterprises and the public sector in 2015. Methods To investigate e-invoicing adoption in the wider population, we designed an online survey, which was conducted among 284 organizations in Slovenia. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 28 software. One sample t-test was used to evaluate the importance of identified advantages, barriers and incentives for e-invoicing usage. Further, we ran an inde-pendent sample t-test to identify statistically important differences in the importance of ad-vantages, barriers, and incentives between organizations with lower and higher levels of e-invoicing usage. Results The results showed that organizations recognize the benefits of e-invoicing well and perceive them as important. The most important barriers to e-invoicing adoption are related to the business environment, unawareness and lack of knowledge about how to implement e-invoicing. Desired incentives for wider e-invoicing adoption are related to easier and lower costs of technical implementation, provided training and education, including best practices, as well as the availability of government grants and other support measures on the state level, including legislation, public directory of business entities using electronic document exchange and service providers. Conclusion The paper provides important information for decision-makers and public ad-min-istrations to take appropriate measures and incentives to further support wider adoption of e-invoicing and exchange of other e-documents to exploit opportunities of digitalization better.
In this paper, a bibliometric, content and thematic analysis of digitalization in maritime transport and seaports was performed. The research was primarily motivated by the scarcity of similar works ...offering a comprehensive and recent literature analysis, the advancements of the maritime digitalization itself, and its influence on all related processes. The initial investigation phase considered 8178 publications, leading through the research steps to the final inclusion of 280 papers, the thematic and content analysis of which were performed using various bibliometric tools. The research encompassed various criteria, ranging through databases, keywords, topics, research areas and others. The resulting concept map emphasized the main concepts that digitalization in maritime transport relies on, or strives towards. The aim of the study was to address the fundamental research questions, with the tendency to define the main key points in the current maritime transport and seaport digitalization process. It can be concluded that an increasing number of authors recognize the importance of new digital technologies in maritime transport and seaports. However, with new digital technologies come specific risks such as spoofing or data manipulation that need to be further analyzed.
In this paper, we aim to propose a guideline for further research towards development of an adaptive strategic IT governance (ITG) model for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The use of IT ...has the potential to be the major driver for success, as well it provides an opportunity to achieve competitive advantage and support digital transformation. In order to achieve IT benefits, enterprises need an effective and successful ITG model, which follows and adapts to business needs. Available ITG models are too generic and do not differentiate for enterprises of different industry, size, maturity etc.
In order to review existing ITG mechanisms, their definitions and identify contingency factors, we performed an extensive literature review (LR). For the initial set of databases, we used the list of journals, which are indexed in the Journal Citation Reports. We also used Web of Science to identify articles with the highest number of citations.
This paper provides the most important definitions of ITG and proposes its comprehensive definition. Next to this, we introduce ITG mechanisms, which are crucial for the effective implementation and use of ITG. Lastly, we identify contingency factors that influence ITG implementation and its use.
Despite extensive research in ITG area, considerable work is still needed to improve understanding of ITG, its definition and mechanisms. Multiple efforts to develop methods for governing IT failed to achieve any significant adoption rate of ITG mechanisms. To enable ITG to become an integral part of Corporate Governance, further research needs to focus on the development of an adaptive strategic ITG model. In this paper, we propose a next step for more practical method for ITG implementation and its use.
In this research, the authors investigated the factors of digital transformation in the maritime transport sector, which were applied to the case study of Croatia. Since there is a pronounced lack of ...research dealing with the digital transformation factors in the maritime transport sector both globally and in Croatia, as a first step the authors identified the aforementioned factors using the literature review method and interviews. Moreover, the survey was carried out among a representative group of stakeholders involved in the maritime transport sector in Croatia, including administrative entities such as port authorities, ministries, and harbormaster’s offices, as well as commercial participants such as freight forwarders, agents, and terminal operators. The goal was to obtain the state of the art of digital transformation in the maritime transport sector. A total of 94 organizations provided valid responses. Finally, the authors proposed measures to improve the digital transformation in the maritime transport sector in Croatia. The results highlighted the importance of various digital transformation factors, such as information security, investment in emerging technologies, leadership motivation, and expertise. The case study presented serves as a valuable reference for comparable countries that recognize their resource constraints but aspire to enhance their efficiency and competitiveness.
Social customer relationship management (social CRM) is an emerging concept that integrates traditional CRM and social media in order to provide benefits for organizations and customers. Despite the ...benefits that social CRM can bring, many organizations are still at the early stage of adoption. To move beyond social marketing and to exploit opportunities offered by sales and customer service, organizations need to be aware of factors that drive social CRM adoption and different implications of social CRM adoption for performance outcomes. This paper aims to provide a review of scholarly literature on social CRM adoption with the focus on factors and performance outcomes.
To provide a comprehensive view of social CRM adoption and its impact on performance outcomes, the publications of interest include scholarly journal papers from information systems and marketing disciplines and conference proceedings. Selected publications were reviewed, and findings classified into three categories: the extent of social CRM adoption, the factors influencing CRM adoption, and the impact of social CRM on performance outcomes.
It appears that several issues regarding social CRM adoption and its implications for performance outcomes as well as the actual use of social media in the context of CRM need additional empirical support.
Our observations have confirmed that many researchers proposed social CRM models based on existing theories and concepts of traditional CRM. Nevertheless, some specifics of social media implications on CRM have been overlooked. The researchers therefore suggest further adjustment/extension of their models.
Bringing several opportunities for more effective and efficient IT governance and service exploitation, cloud computing is expected to impact the European and global economies significantly. Market ...data show that despite many advantages and promised benefits the adoption of cloud computing is not as fast and widespread as foreseen. This situation shows the need for further exploration of the potentials of cloud computing and its implementation on the market. The purpose of this research was to identify individual business model factors with the highest impact on cloud computing adoption. In addition, the aim was to identify the differences in opinion regarding the importance of business model factors on cloud computing adoption according to companies’ previous experiences with cloud computing services.
Based on literature review, prior research results, and interviews with cloud computing providers and users, a research model was developed. Statistical analysis focused on identification of factors’ importance on cloud computing adoption and differences in opinions according to respondents’ previous experiences with cloud computing services. The study was done among 80 companies and five major cloud computing providers in Slovenia.
The research results reveal statistically significant differences in opinions on the importance of cloud computing business model factors according to respondents’ previous experiences with cloud computing services. The results can provide orientation for redesign or innovation of existing business models towards the creation of a customer-oriented business model for the more successful exploitation of cloud computing services and business opportunities. For potential users, the findings represent guidelines for the successful adoption of cloud computing services.
In our research, the investigated business model factors could be classified into so-called “business model organizational factors”, as they primarily need to be considered by cloud service providers when defining or innovating their business models. For future research, the model should also include the impact of environmental factors, such as Competition, Business Partners, Legislation, Economic Situation, in order to investigate their impact on cloud adoption.
Background and Purpose: Business model innovation (BMI) has become increasingly important, especially in the fast changing business environment. While large enterprises approach these changes ...systematically, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are left to their own resourcefulness. For the purpose of developing dedicated methods and tools to support different SMEs in addressing these challenges, we have conducted a multiple case study to gain insights into factors that drive SMEs to innovate their BM, how they approach BMI and what changes they made to their BM.
Design/Methodology/Approach: First the framework of analysis was developed based on BMI research frameworks identified in literature review. Then the multiple case studies were conducted following the case study protocol developed by Envision project.
Results: Based on the proposed framework the results of four Slovene SME cases revealed differences between enterprises regarding the drivers behind BMI and changes in usage of the different BMI elements.
Conclusion: Overall, the results suggest all four SMEs, coming from different sectors, are facing BMI challenges without systematically addressing it and without using any dedicated BM ontologies or tools.
•Literature review of drivers, success factors & barriers for Digital Transformation•New technologies foster Digital Transformation in the Maritime Transport Sector•Lack of awareness of how Digital ...Transformation positively affects the Maritime Transport operations•Stakeholder collaboration - the most important challenge for Digital Transformation•Digital Transformation in the Maritime Transport Sector should not only be technology oriented
In this paper, the authors perform a literature review of the drivers, success factors and barriers to digital transformation in the maritime transport sector. Previous research offering a comprehensive overview of digital transformation in the maritime transport sector is scarce. In order to fill this research gap, the authors have identified a total of 139 sources, mainly related to the drivers, success factors and barriers for digitalization and digital transformation. The analysis of the state of the art was performed, along with the analysis of the impact of digital transformation in the maritime transport sector using a number of cases. The development of innovative technologies (such as Blockchain or autonomous shipping) definitely fosters digital transformation in the maritime transport sector. The barriers which are slowing down digital transformation compared to other industries are highlighted, such as the lack of awareness of how digital transformation may affect the business, and the lack of standards and cooperation among stakeholders. The research findings fill the identified research gap, and can serve practitioners in shaping up proper strategies for successful digital transformation of organizations in the maritime transport sector.
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