Chapter 11 Interorganizational and International Information Systems

2 Learning Objectives When you finish this chapter, you will  Understand the importance of interorganizational and international ISs.  Recognize the role EDI plays in saving costs in business operations.  Be able to describe the vertical and horizontal information integration among companies.  Know the legal, cultural, and other challenges to implementing informational exchange systems.

3 Sharing Information Systems Interorganizational Information Systems  Systems shared by two or more organizations  Built and owned by one organization  Increases efficiency and effectiveness  Organizations use similar systems to serve international sites

4 Vertical Information Exchange Vertically related  Output of one organization used in processes of another  Integrating ISs between vertically related organizations highly beneficial  Saves time and money  Better serves customers

5 Vertical Information Interchange Figure 11.1 Vertical relationships among organizations

6 Electronic Data Interchange What is EDI?  Exchange of electronic data using interorganizational information systems  Set of hardware, software, and standards that accommodate the EDI process

7 Electronic Data Interchange Benefits of EDI  Cost Savings  Speed  Accuracy  Security  System Integration  Just-in-time Support

8 Figure 11.2 Benefits of EDI Electronic Data Interchange

9 Figure 11.3 Suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers cooperate in some of the most successful applications of EDI.

10 Electronic Data Exchange How does EDI work? (Figure 11.4)  Supplier’s proposal sent electronically to purchasing organization.  Electronic contract approved over network.  Supplier manufactures and packages goods, attaching shipping data recorded on a bar code.  Quantities shipped and prices entered in system and flowed to invoicing program; invoices transmitted to purchasing organization

11 Electronic Data Exchange  Manufacturer ships order.  Purchasing organization receives packages, scans bar code, and compares data to invoices actual items received.  Payment approval transferred electronically.  Bank transfers funds from purchaser to supplier’s account using electronic fund transfer (EFT).

12 Electronic Data Interchange Figure 11.4 How EDI works

13 Electronic Data Interchange EDI Standards  EDI requires companies to agree on standards  Compatible hardware and software  Agreed upon electronic form format  Established EDI standards  Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG)  X.12 de facto umbrella standard in U.S. and Canada  EDI for Administration, Commerce, and Trade (EDIFACT) umbrella of standards in Europe

14 Electronic Data Interchange How to Subscribe to EDI  Larger companies purchase hardware and software  Medium and small companies seek third- party service  Value-added networking (VAN)  Managed network services available for a fee

15 Electronic Data Interchange EDI on the Web  Advantages of Web EDI  Lower cost  More familiar software  Worldwide connectivity  Disadvantages of Web EDI  Low speed  Poor security

16 Electronic Data Interchange Legal Problems of EDI  Increased risk of unauthorized interception  Contractual responsibility for incomplete or corrupted telecommunications  Questionable validity of digital contracts  Protection against the ease of collaborative pricing and other activities that may violate antitrust laws

17 Electronic Data Interchange Figure 11.5 Legal issues that arise from the use of EDI

18 Electronic Data Interchange The Importance of EDI  Need for timely, reliable data exchange in response to rapidly changing markets  Emergence of standards and guidelines  Spread of information into many organizational units  Greater reliability of information technology  Globalization of organizations

19 Horizontal Information Interchange  Organizations performing similar activities share information  Real estate agencies maintain multiple listing service  Financial institutions share financial information  Airlines share reservation systems  Legal implications and risks similar to those of EDI

20 Horizontal Information Interchange Figure 11.6 Horizontal information interchange

21 International and Multinational Organizations Multinational organizations need integrated ISs  Flow of information across borders essential  Managers increasing attention to international IS integration  Some large companies build their own international ISs

22 Figure 11.7 The importance of international integration to companies with international operations International and Multinational Organizations

23 Using the Web for International Commerce International Web Commerce Benefits  Increased revenues  Increased international Web participation  Potential Web participation  Cost savings  Printing and shipping costs  Customer service costs

24 Using the Web for International Commerce Figure 11.8 Worldwide distribution of people regularly online, 1999

25 Using the Web for International Commerce Figure 11.9 Countries projected to lead in Internet use by 2005

26 Challenges to Global Information Systems Technological Challenges  Non-uniform information infrastructures Payment Mechanisms  Non-uniform preferred payment method

27 Challenges to Global Information Systems Language Differences  Translation delays  Laws forbid foreign language accounting and other systems Cultural Differences  Cultural imperialism

28 Challenges to Global Information Systems Economic, Scientific, and Security Interests  Government restriction on sharing sensitive information  Varying treatment of trade secrets, patents, and copyrights Political Challenges  Fear that access to information threatens sovereignty  Government pressure to buy only national software

29 Challenges to Global Information Systems Standards  Varying standards for date format, measurements, etc. Legal Barriers to International Data Transfer  Incompatible data privacy laws in U.S. and Europe

30 Ethical and Societal Issues The Electronic Immigrant Electronic Immigrant  Telecommutes to company in another country  Competes with local workers in foreign countries  Often can work for less  Drawbacks  Reduced government control of foreign labor  Pockets of unemployment in host country  Advantages  Ultimately benefits consumer by lowering costs  Helps limit ‘physical immigration’  Satisfies unmet demand for developers