Abstract
The work reported in this chapter is part of a research stream to study the interaction between a nation’s societal factors and the introduction of information technology. It examines the influence of four societal factors — culture, economy, infrastructures and government policy— on the diffusion of electronic data interchange in the Netherlands. This single-case study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with participants and observers of the diffusion process in the Netherlands along with analyzing relevant policy documents. Technology stimulation programs at the national and European Union levels combined with infrastructure developments have helped to shape the introduction and use of EDI in a fashion that is consistent with economic and cultural factors in the Netherlands. The results of this study provide insight into the nature of the linkage between societal influences and information technology diffusion. Further research is needed to examine these societal factors in other countries and to identify additional societal factors which influence the development and use of information technology.
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Notes
In addition to the respondents, the authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of the following individuals who provided insights, information and recommendations about this research: M. Heng, Assistant Professor, and E.R.K. Spoor, Associate Professor of Information Systems, Vrije Universiteit; P. Nijkamp, Professor of Spatial Economics, Vrije Universiteit; J.A. Winter, Professor of Law, Vrije Universiteit; P. Ribbers, Professor of Information Systems, Tilberg University; R. A. Roe, Scientific Director, Work and Organization Research Centre, Tilberg University; and P. Slaa, Assistant Professor of Communications, University of Amsterdam.
For further discussion of information systems and their environments see Trauth et al. (1991), pp. 22-36.
See Trauth, Deckseti & Mevissen. (1993).
At the time that the interviews were conducted the American author, Dr. Trauth, was a visiting professor at the Vrije Universiteit.
To illustrate this point we note that some respondents upon hearing about our research project expressed mild surprise that business professors would be exploring what to them was simply another form of technology.
“Messages” or “transaction sets” define the content and structure of each EDI document.
See http://www.ediflower.nl. EDIFLOWER has included in its website a link to Facing Facts Website which offers companies a wide range of electronic commerce services from web design and online marketing to web software and database and development tools.
It was not within the scope of this study to consider whether or not governments should stimulate EDI growth or whether by doing so they are restricting organizational choices. Rather, our concern was with ways in which the Dutch government worked to stimulate EDI usage once the decision to do so was determined by the public and private sector stakeholders. As we learned during our interviews, consensus plays a key role in decision making in the Netherlands.
See Ministerie van Economische Zaken, Directie Voorlichting (1994) and URL http://www.minez.nl/ecom
See URL http://www.minez.nl/ecom/dfiindex.htm
Spoed means “urgent” in Dutch. See URL http://spsoed.wirehub.net
See URL http://www.mediaplaza.nl
Voorbeeldprojecten Electronic Data Interchange (VEDI) [Model Projects on Electronic Data Interchange] is a program run by the Directorate-General for Services, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Planning, of the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs.
EDIFACT currently has 200 messages covering business and administrative sectors (see URL http://www2.cordis.lu/esprit/src/invencom.htm#dgxxiii).
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© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Trauth, E., Derksen, F., Mevissen, H. (1998). Societal Factors and the Diffusion of EDI. In: EDI and Data Networking in the Public Sector. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5487-5_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5487-5_3
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