Title: E-business deployment in Iranian IT firms: an empirical research on recommendations

Authors: P. Hanafizadeh, M.R. Hanafizadeh, M. Khodabakhshi

Addresses: Department of Industrial Management, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran; Haft Paykar Corner, Nezami Ganjavi St., Tavanneer, Valy Asr Ave., Tehran, Iran. ' Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, Science and Research Branch (Young Researchers Club), Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Hesarak St., Daneshgah Square, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. ' Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran; Daneshgah Boulevard, Daneshgah Square, Imam Khomeini St., Darvazeh Tehran, Isafahan, P.O. Box 8415-83111, Iran

Abstract: The present study is the first attempt to make recommendations that enhance e-business deployment in Iran. In this paper, studying 19 countries and four regions, 339 recommendations for e-business development are extracted. Then, using content analysis, 32 recommendations are selected and categorised into four groups of |e-infrastructure|, |human resource|, |security| and |policies and plans|. Countries selected for extracting their recommendations are those whose circumstances resemble Iran|s. Therefore, these recommendations seem to be able to be exploited by developing countries, in particular, by Middle East countries. Finally, a survey is conducted and using statistical tests, the recommendations that are compatible with Iran|s internal circumstances are proposed. These recommendations are prioritised and categorised in three groups based on the criteria of the degree of importance in experts| opinions, country|s experience and whether or not the recommendations have been implemented in Iran. The proposed recommendations are also ranked according to experts| opinions.

Keywords: e-business; electronic business; content analysis; e-infrastructure; electronic infrastructure; human resources; security; policy making; planning; developing countries; Middle East; value chain management; ICT firms; information technology; communications technology; culture; socio-technical aspects.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVCM.2010.031801

International Journal of Value Chain Management, 2010 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.49 - 67

Published online: 24 Feb 2010 *

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