A FRAMEWORK FOR THE ANALYSIS OF AUTOMATED INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION SHARING SYSTEMS

Abstract

With the proliferation of computer networking technologies and improved systems development practice, organizationally-based information systems are beginning to include automated information interchange that transcends organizational boundaries. The scope of interorganizational systems ranges from the simple exchange of standardized messages to the integration of separate organizationally-based hardware and software components. The dissertation considers the characteristics of Automated Information Sharing Systems (IS*s) with a view toward developing classification schema and predicting issues of relevance to organizations and society arising from IS* development and evolution. Development of IS*s may be examined from a variety of perspectives including participation incentives and objectives as well as structural, growth and technical characteristics. Each of these is investigated by the analysis of actual case studies representing current and prototype IS* implementations. The output of the initial investigatory process is a set of representative taxonomies which may be used to classify and categorize IS*s. The primary taxonomic scheme, participation levels, represents categorization of IS*s on two bases: operational/technical characteristics and strategic utilization potentialities. Application taxonomies, interchange objective and interchange type, are also developed to provide a foundation for assessing the underlying characteristics of interchange prior to determining appropriate IS* application features. In this way, the thesis presents fundamental concepts for continuing research into the development and potential impact of IS*s.