E-Commerce and Its Impact on Operations Management

Exploring the Role of E-Commerce in Operations Management

Abstract

Electronic commerce (EC) is possibly the most promisingapplication of information technology witnessed in recent years. It isrevolutionizing supply-chain management and has enormous potential formanufacturing, retail and service operations. The tremendous importance of EChas prompted us to write this paper. We have attempted to define e-commerce andexamine major EC elements that link organizational systems. The application ofEC in manufacturing, retailing and service operations is examined, and aframework for describing EC components and their role in different areas of anorganization is proposed. Finally, we summarize our findings andconclusions.r2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.