e-Business: Revolution Evolution or Hype?

April 2000

Speaker:

Prof. Timothy Devinney, Director, Centre for Corporate Change, AGSM

A number of management consultants and academics see information and network based systems as revolutionary catalysts heralding in a 'new economy'. They believe it will completely change the way business and commerce is conducted. The reality is that many firms are confused about the direction future developments will take.

Recent failures in the business-to-commerce market have raised serious questions regarding the pace at which the ‘networked’ economy is emerging. It also raises questions regarding the ultimate suitability of electronically based business for many firms. In this discussion Professor Devinney outlines the forces at play in determining the appropriateness of e-business to the firm and the relevant characteristics of those inter-networked organizations that may emerge as a result. He does this by posing three related questions:

Where is e-business concentrated?
Why is e-business occurring as it is?
Are we in the throes of a revolution or is it natural technological evolution?

Panelists:

Philip Kiely, Managing Director, Oracle Australia
Chris Mitchell, Vice President, AT Kearney
Steve Vamos, CEO, NineMSN

Resources:

Overview – “Keeping E-Business in Perspective”
Overhead – “E-Business: Reality or Hype?”
Paper – “E-Business: Revolution, Evolution or Hype?”