| Despite the increased adoption of electronic commerce (EC) among container shipping companies, very little is known about the effects of EC practice on their strategic management. This study takes an interdisciplinary approach to examine the uses, motivations and barriers associated with EC in the container shipping industry at two time periods---1992 and 2002---and explores whether the strategic relevance for its use has changed over time, and if so, how and why. The thesis' central hypothesis predicted that over time EC would become more relevant for the identification of business goals, as the main motivation for its use becomes increasingly customer-oriented. Secondary hypotheses predicted that EC uses, motivations and barriers would become increasingly commercial, rather than operational.; In order to test the hypotheses, a combined research methodology was adopted. Four companies were selected for case study and convergence and divergence of perceptions amongst interviewees were analyzed at two levels: within- and across cases. In addition, a 41-question survey was sent to 297 shipping companies, yielding an 11.1% response rate. Surveys were analyzed using various tools, including correlation and regression analysis.; This research found that the role of EC during the period under examination became more strategic than tactical. This change, however, could not be explained solely by the desire of companies to exploit EC externally with clients as foreseen in the central hypothesis. Companies' ability to master the use of EC within their own organizations also plays a critical part. As a result, hypotheses explaining how key EC-related aspects interact over time were elaborated for future testing.; This research found consensus among interviewees that EC will become the standard for operational and commercial transactions in container shipping in the near future, as EC will enhance their ability to achieve hard savings, greater efficiencies and access new geographical markets. Companies recognize, however, that the full potential of EC can only be realized once the shift from paper-based to electronic practices is well underway, for which further support from government agencies is critical. Deeper understanding of the fundamental management, legal, technical, operational and social impacts of EC in this industry would benefit from interdisciplinary research frameworks. |
