The e-sourdng opportunity: From projects and ASPS to value networks

Internet implementation capability is required to ensure success in e-Business. This usually means using some external sources for specific capabilities. This chapter focuses on securing such capability for Internet development projects. The central dilemmas for most organizations considering their sourcing options for e-business development are the trade-offs among speed to market, cost, and organizational learning. The fastest route to securing Internet presence and capability may well undermine the organizational need to build up internal understanding. E-business sourcing is not solely about balancing learning and early use of new technology. It is also about making best use of the mix of internal and external suppliers throughout the organization's business processes. The chapter finally examines the possibilities for more strategic forms of external sourcing as they emerged in many of the researched organizations.