This book covers the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICTs) and communities - both physical and virtual. Community technology applications are studied in many contexts. The book demonstrates the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of evolving communities and technologies scholarship.

After the dramatic failures of the dot coms in 2000 and 2001, many observers were quick to report on the death of electronic commerce. Investor confidence sagged, stock prices of technology firms in nearly all of the related sectors suffered. In reality, the picture is not nearly as dismal as the press would have us believe. E-commerce is not dead, but it has moved beyond its overhyped beginning stage. This book is an effort to sort through the hype, providing a realistic assessment of the state of electronic commerce today, and the important areas of opportunity and challenge for tomorrow. The book sees all kind of developments where e-business is becoming an integral part of 'traditional' business processes, with special emphasis on practical and policy importance. E-commerce scholars from a number of disciplines and countries contribute to assess the impact of the dot com bust and the current state of e-commerce.

This book covers the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICTs) and communities both physical and virtual. Community technology applications are studied in many contexts. The book demonstrates the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of evolving communities and technologies scholarship.

After the dramatic failures of the dot coms in 2000 and 2001, many observers were quick to report on the death of electronic commerce. Investor confidence sagged, stock prices of technology firms in nearly all of the related sectors suffered. In reality, the picture is not nearly as dismal as the press would have us believe. E-commerce is not dead, but it has moved beyond its overhyped beginning stage. This book is an effort to sort through the hype, providing a realistic assessment of the state of electronic commerce today, and the important areas of opportunity and challenge for tomorrow. The book sees all kind of developments where e-business is becoming an integral part of 'traditional' business processes, with special emphasis on practical and policy importance. E-commerce scholars from a number of disciplines and countries contribute to assess the impact of the dot com bust and the current state of e-commerce.

It's a business truism nowadays that electronic commerce is a volatile, rapidly changing landscape. Despite recent discouraging trends, the fact remains that e-commerce is an integral force in business that must be reckoned with. Current research, however, has been limited to several narrow approaches, such as documenting economic performance, describing business models, and generating new applications and technologies. Charles Steinfield calls instead for an examination of how e-commerce influences fundamental relationships between consumers and firms, across firms, and between firms and the larger society in which they operate. New Directions in Research on E-Commerce offers an international group of scholars and practitioners representing eight countries at the cutting edge of electronic commerce. The essays are divided into four basic topics: understanding consumer responses to Internet stores; market structure and business-to-business e-commerce; e-commerce and industry structure case studies; and social and policy concerns in e-commerce. Collectively, they will help researchers, business leaders, and policy makers to arrive at informed, stable approaches to an essential facet of contemporary life.