Title: Internal resources matter more when there is intense competition: a resource-based assessment of e-business implementation

Authors: Sophia Wang

Addresses: Department of Business Management, National Dong Hwa University, 1, Sec. 2, Da-Hsueh Rd., Shou-Feng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan

Abstract: Drawing upon the resource-based view of the firm (RBV), we argue that e-business implementation is path-dependent by nature. Successful implementation is a function of a firm|s financial, technological, and human resources accumulated over time. Additionally, innovation-facilitating resources have a greater impact on e-business implementation when a company is faced with intense competition. Using a sample of travel agencies in Taiwan, we found a positive relation between a company|s IT capability, its CEO|s openness to new experience and e-business implementation. This was particularly true for the companies facing intense competition. The theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords: e-business implementation; resource-based view; RBV; IT capability; travel industry; Taiwan; competition; electronic business.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEB.2006.011698

International Journal of Electronic Business, 2006 Vol.4 No.6, pp.500 - 515

Published online: 15 Dec 2006 *

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