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This paper addresses the impact of information technology (IT) and the World Wide Web (WWW) on the 21st Century and the challenges which we will face as responsible members of a dynamically changing society. Reviewing the spread of potentially alienating technology, the paper highlights the implications for change with reference to the “haves” and the “have nots”- developing societies, economically disadvantaged groups, women and children. The authors argue that organisational, sociological and cultural factors may inhibit an effective transformation to a global Information Society. Particular consideration is given to policies, infrastructure, human resources and development responsibilities in developing societies.

A common criticism directed at Davis’ (1986; 1989) Technology Acceptance Model relates to its failure to adequately frame the “experienced” user’s ongoing adoption and exploitation of information technologies. Given the pervasive nature of technology into individual users’ ongoing, everyday communication and information interactions, along with the “new adopter” becoming an increasingly rare entity, the TAM is in danger of becoming a somewhat obsolete framework for investigating user-technology interaction. Presented is a critical analysis of the development and current state of the TAM, followed by a proposed addition to the existing Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEoU) TAM constructs. The paper contends that the inclusion of a Perception of Interaction (PoI) construct allows researchers to develop an investigative framework which facilitates an exploration of users’ ongoing perceptions of the predictability of their technology interaction processes.

This paper reports on an investigation into the benefits from e-procurement implementations within a public e-marketplace for the mining trading community. Data was collected from nine established trading companies in this emarketplace with respect to the perceived benefits from their market interactions. The findings are analysed according to the level of e-procurement sophistication between buyers and suppliers provided by the e-marketplace. The results indicate that the more active the buyer-supplier trading relationships become the greater level of benefits realised.

Increasingly, universities worldwide are shifting towards Virtual Education Delivery (VED) using information and communication technology to facilitate knowledge sharing and to gain competitive advantage. Little however is known about the way in which different societal cultures will adapt to the use of online instruction both from the teaching and learning communities. This study was designed to examine the critical success factors for implementing VEDs in Thailand, and to identify ways to facilitate such adoption and lead to effective outcomes. The study incorporated an analysis of three specific factors related to Thai culture: high power distance "Bhun Khun", uncertainty avoidance "Kreng Jai" and, collectivism "Kam Lang Jai". This paper reviews the development of the research framework, describes the conceptual underpinning of the cultural model and presents the findings of the study. Implications for worldwide VED are highlighted and future research possibilities explored.

The paper reports on the results of research carried out over the last two years on the state of e-business developments within ERP environments worldwide. Structured interviews were used to collect data in two stages. The first group of organisations was drawn from Australia and the results from this stage used to refine the data collection instrument. The second group consisted of relatively mature ERP based organisations from a range of industries around the world. The findings were analysed according to an established research framework from Business Process Change. This showed that while facilitators in aspects of e-business change management such as cultural readiness, knowledge and learning capabilities and relationship building were recognised by organisations, the extent to which they were incorporated as part of the implementation varied greatly. This suggests a rich field for future research study regarding the success of e-ERP projects.

This paper reports on a longitudinal study of e-business change management in ERP enabled organisations. Twenty organisations agreed to participate in the study and data was collected through ongoing e-dialogue and face to face interviews over a two year period. An analysis of the findings led to the adoption of a model proposing various antecedents to successful e-business change management in ERP environments. Multiple case studies with varying dimensions of e-business scope are described in context of this model and a detailed case study of an organisation with a highly innovative project is used to illustrate the facilitators that lead to e-business project success.