E-Business Strategy for Logistics Companies: Achieving Success through Information Systems Planning

Abstract

Background: E-business and Information Technology (IT) are critical components in the improvement of logistics functions. As logistics contributes to the entire strategic planning of a firm, e-business and IT applications support the implementation of strategic planning in a more efficient and effective manner. According to this view, previous scholars have ignored the importance of Information Systems (IS) planning in the selection and implementation of appropriate IS as per situation. This paper explores the Information Systems Planning (ISP) phases that influence the success of the process. Methods: Data were collected and analyzed using Regression Analysis by 73 IT managers for Greek Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the logistics sector. Results: The outcomes of the analysis show that executives ought to be informed about the strategic utilization of IS planning in order to improve competitive advantage. Furthermore, managers must also select the suitable IT facilities to align business strategy with the business structure. Conclusions: The outcomes support managers to focus on logistics functions and realize the importance of such ISP in logistics. As a result, selecting appropriate IS leads to increased competitive advantage, faster communication, support for the storage and retrieval of more accurate data, cost reduction and increased customer value.

Keywords

• e-business strategy
• strategic information systems planning
• SMEs
• information systems planning success
• IT strategy
• logistics