Mobile IT infrastructure in value network development: a case study of property management business

Abstract

Mobility is truly revolutionising the way organisations work, and is increasingly viewed as a critical factor. Mobile technologies allow users to be easily accessible, and allow them to access information and services regardless of location or time. We believe that enterprises will gradually adapt the mobile solutions to add value for their customers and increase the productivity of their employees. The objective of this research project is to design a framework making use of disruptive technology for adoption in a business-to-business context. The result is the development of a mobile IT infrastructure that links different enterprises together (to allow a group of firms to behave as extended enterprise) for performance improvement and securing benefits. A case study of residential property management business arising from this research enhances the applicability of mobile IT infrastructure to create the business solutions to address evolving customer needs.

Keywords:

• Mobile IT infrastructure
• Value network
• Disruptive technology
• Property management

Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge the support offered by Central Grant of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University under Project Number: G-YA19.

Harry W. T. So is the Vice President, Business Development and Technology of SUNeVision Super e-Network Ltd in Hong Kong. He is responsible for the strategic planning of the company's business. With the background of an MSc from the National University of Singapore and a MBA from the University of Louisville, he has also developed a range of professional experience on how to implement and integrate business and IT in different life cycles. He is also a part-time lecturer at the University of Hong Kong.

Walter W. C. Chung is Associate Professor at the Department of Manufacturing Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He graduated in Industrial Engineering and received his MBA from UNSW Australia. He is the Programme Leader of MSc in Industrial Logistics Systems. His research interests are in information systems and knowledge management for e-business. A recipient of the President's Awards for Achievement 1996-1997: Research and Scholarly Activities, he has successfully supervised research students up to the PhD level and published numerous research papers. He has been successful in research grants (HK$7.1 million) and is active in consulting with business and industry. He is the Project Director of the Teaching Company Scheme for two companies.