Title: A knowledge management reading of electronic commerce: experience in the Italian clothing industry

Authors: Gianluca Marchi, Giuseppe Nardin, Enrico Scarso, Ettore Bolisani

Addresses: University of Modena e Reggio Emilia, Department of Business Studies, via Berengario 51, 41100 Modena, Italy. University of Modena e Reggio Emilia, Department of Business Studies, via Berengario 51, 41100 Modena, Italy. University of Modena e Reggio Emilia, Department of Business Studies, via Berengario 51, 41100 Modena, Italy. University of Padova, Department of Management and Engineering, stradella San Nicola, 3, 36100 Vicenza, Italy

Abstract: The paper aims to explore the application of a knowledge-based approach for the practical understanding of the potential of Electronic Commerce (Ecom). It firstly discusses the main elements that should (or may) characterise a knowledge-based view of Ecom, based on the analysis of recent literature on knowledge management. Then, the application of such elements is suggested for analysing Ecom in a specific context of application, the Italian clothing industry. The recent experience in that sector is examined, as well as the way the knowledge-based view proposed can be of use to understand the success and limitations of specific Ecom projects; this is done with particular reference to a specific case-study (Ecom projects of the Italian clothing firm ||Basic Net||). The potential and limitations of the approach adopted here is then discussed, as well as possible future research directions.

Keywords: knowledge management; electronic commerce; apparel industry; Italy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEB.2003.002177

International Journal of Electronic Business, 2003 Vol.1 No.3, pp.258-280

Published online: 21 Jul 2003 *

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