Studies in Trade and Investment: The Development Impact of Information Technology in Trade Facilitation

It is important to lay out a framework for understanding how trade facilitation (TF) affects the movement of goods, and where information (IT) fits in. This relationship, in turn, sets the stage for locating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in international transactions. There is an increasing amount of substantial literature on TF and equally wide knowledge of IT. While it is not the intent of this chapter to survey these materials, to the extent that they are relevant to the following discussion, they will be referred to appropriately. Section A of this chapter elaborates on TF and the wide range of instruments that have been used and analyzed while section B details some actual experiences in the use of IT in TF. Section C examines small and medium-sized enterprises and IT in TF. Section D summarizes this chapter and considers the implications for inclusive growth.Trade facilitation, ICT, IT, SMEs,

The adoption of e-business technology by SMEs

The paper examines the key factors influencing the adoption ofe-business technology by SMEs. To this end, the paper draws on a rangeof literatures on the diffusion of new information and communicationtechnologies (ICTs), many of which have hitherto been treated asseparate. The reasons for this are two-fold. First, e-businesstechnologies are the latest in a line of new ICT technologies. Whenexploited successfully, ICTs have increased firm competitiveness eitherby raising the efficiency of internal communication and organisationand/or supply chain relationships, or by facilitating the development ofnew/improved products and services. Second, it is hypothesised that manyof the factors affecting the successful adoption of new technologies aregeneric in nature. With regards to SMEs specifically, consideration ofearlier research may assist us in identifying a set of enablers andbarriers to e-business adoption. Hence, by explicitly acknowledging thecontext and prior history of research in the area, we are able to mapout the dimensions of future theoretical and empirical research ine-business adoption by SMEs. In addition to drawing together factors identified by existing research,the paper highlights the implications of network externalities for thetiming of technology investments and the returns that accrue to earlyand late adopters. It also draws attention to a number of problemsassociated with the analytical concept of ‘the SME’ when it is appliedto this area. The research proceeds by clearly defining thetechnological and organisational characteristics of the e-business modeland a brief consideration of the trends in adoption in the UK vis-à-visadoption in the other G7 countries. Together these set up a detailedconsideration of the internal and external factors influencing adoption.A qualitative approach, in the form of a detailed case study, is thenused to explore the potential usefulness of the factors that have beenidentified. The results of these findings are then drawn together in theconcluding section of the paper.economics of technology ;

The Impact of Information Technology in Trade Facilitation on Small and Medium Enterprises in the Philippines

The paper is focusing on electronic lodgment through web-based applications of value-added service providers as the IT-based trade facilitation measure, the survey of Customs Brokers conducted in this study revealed that lodgment time in the Philippines dropped to one hour or less as a result, compared to previous lodgment times of one and a half to one day.Information Techonology, Trade Facilitation, SME, Philippines

Studies in Trade and Investment: The Development Impact of Information Technology in Trade Facilitation

This chapter describes the impact of information technology (IT) in trade facilitation on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines. The definition of SME varies across countries, and the Government of the Philippines has adopted one that includes micro- and cottage enterprises. The Government classifies establishments into four categories: (a) micro/cottage (1-9 persons in the workforce and with asset limit of P 3 million); (b) small (10-99 workers, with an asset limit of P 15 million); (c) medium (100-199 workers, with asset limit of P 100 million); and (d) large (more than 200 workers, and more than P 100 million in assets).Trade facilitation, automation, garment industry, IT, SMEs, export, customs, Philippines

Leveling the Playing Field: Attracting, Engaging, and Advancing People with Disabilities

People with disabilities experience significant challenges in finding employment. The participation of people with disabilities in the workforce and their median income are both less than half that of the civilian workforce. They work part time 68 percent more frequently than people without disabilities. These disheartening results persist despite the enactment of significant federal legislation aimed at making the workplace more supportive and accessible to people with disabilities. The Conference Board Research Working Group (RWG) on Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Disabilities was convened to address how to overcome these disparities. It was sponsored by the Employment and Disability Institute at Cornell University, under a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education. The RWG members focused on four questions: 1) The business case: Is it advantageous for organizations to employ people with disabilities? 2) Organizational readiness: What should organizations do to create a workplace that enables people with disabilities to thrive and advance? 3) Measurement: How can success for both people with disabilities and the organization itself be determined? 4) Self-disclosure: How can people with disabilities, especially those whose disabilities are not obvious, be encouraged to identify themselves so that resources can be directed toward them and outcomes can be measured

An Exploratory Study of Critical Issues in Online Securities Trading: The Hong Kong Perspective

The advancement of technology enables more and more people to do their business activities online. This has threatened the businesses of the traditional intermediaries. Among the various form of electronic commerce, online securities trading is one that will stand a better chance for wide adoption and success. Online securities trading penetration rate has remained on a steady upward trend [39]. The development and adoption of online securities trading have been slow in Hong Kong as compared to other Asian counter parts such as South Korea, Japan and Singapore. Past research on online securities trading in Hong Kong has been lacking. The objectives of this study are to explore the critical issues, impacts, problems and barriers of online securities trading in Hong Kong, and what can be done to facilitate local online securities trading. This paper will first provide the background of online securities trading in Hong Kong, followed by literature review on online securities trading, self-service technology, electronic commerce, and review of studies of online securities trading in other countries. In-depth interviews were also conducted with senior personnel in local brokerage firms that offer online trading to gather their expert opinion and to explore the critical issues, attributes, benefits and barriers of online securities trading in Hong Kong. Recommendations to managers and future research of an empirical study will be discussed in the last section

Spartan Daily February 14, 2011

Volume 136, Issue 9https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/1116/thumbnail.jp

Spartan Daily February 14, 2011

Volume 136, Issue 9https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/1116/thumbnail.jp

Interorganizational Collaboration and Value Creation in the Automotive Industry

In response to the difficulties experienced by the automotive industry in adopting new procurement technology this research investigates an emerging phenomenon: electronic interorganizational collaborative platforms consisting of e-Hubs, WebEDI, and CAD networks. A study of eight European cases explores collaborative working and information sharing using e-procurement to transform value creation. Outcomes from interviews and workshops reveal conflicting stakeholder motivation and barriers at firm and industry level. Vehicle manufacturers seek significant cost reductions through large-scale hubs, but are overwhelmed by supplier resistance, structural differences, cultural mismatch, and legacy systems. Suppliers are more selective in their use of electronic applications, but are hindered by network complexity, lack of standards, and limited resources. The study concludes with recommendations concerning electronic topology, supplier relationships, disbenefit, leadership, and a transition from traditional inter-organizational systems thinking. Keywords: collaborative platforms, e-procurement, supplier relationship