A contingency model of EDI's impact on industry sectors

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has conventionally been discussed from the perspective of individual corporations. This view needs to be complemented by an appreciation of the relevant industry sector view. This paper proposes a contingency model incorporating an industry sector view. The notion of the industry value-chain is proposed as a valuable tool in analysing the potential of EDI. Key characteristics of industry sectors are discussed, and several factors are identified which must be considered when modelling any particular sector. A taxonomy is proposed whereby the differential impacts of EDI on various industry sectors may be explained and predicted. It is concluded that insufficient attention has been paid to the question of industry infrastructure. Opportunities for research into industry sectors on the basis of this framework are discussed, and several difficulties identified.