Developing the Learning Network Using Extranets

Abstract:

Managers are beginning to realize that employing an integrated electronic commerce strategy is a requirement for doing business in many industries. An integrated strategy should result in new forms of electronic collaboration between trading partners. Until now attention has focused on the use of the World Wide Web to reach consumers and on the development of intra nets for internal use, but the development of extranets-the business-to-business application of Internet technology-is emerging as a third critical component of the strategic use of electronic commerce.

This paper shows how two types of extranets can extend the existing notion of the learning organization by creating a learning network: a consortium of trading partners who seek to become more competitive as a unit. One type of extranet can make the entire network of firms more competitive versus other competing groups. The second type can improve an organization’s leadership position within a consortium. The paper also discusses four types of knowledge creation and three factors important for gaining strategic value from extranets.

Key Words and Phrases::

• Collaboration
• extranets
• learning network

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Frederick J. Riggins

FREDERICK J. RIGGINS ([email protected]) is an assistant professor of information technology management at the DuPree College of Management at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on the Internet and electronic commerce, the management of interorganizational systems, and the economic justification of information technology investments. Dr. Riggins received his Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University, where his dissertation was awarded the 1994 William W. Cooper Doctoral Dissertation Award in Management Science.

Hyeun-Suk (Sue) Rhee

HYEUN-SUK (SUE) RHEE ([email protected]) is the coordinator of the United Nations Technology Centre of Africa, an exhibition and learning center that demonstrates the value of information and communication technology for African development. Before joining the United Nations, she was an assistant professor of information technology management at the DuPree College of Management at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her current research interests include electronic commerce, the impact of IT on developing nations, negotiation support systems, human-computer interfaces, information technology diffusion, and telework. Dr. Rhee received her Ph.D. from Ohio State University.