Forming Interoperability Through Interorganizational Systems Standards

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Zhao, Kexin; Xia, Mu
• 署名单位: University of North Carolina; University of North Carolina Charlotte; Southwestern University of Finance & Economics - China
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0742-1222
• DOI: 10.2753/MIS0742-1222300410
• 发表日期: 2014
• 页码: 269-298
• 关键词: information-technology; e-business; network externalities; management capability; Competitive advantage; BEHAVIORAL-RESEARCH; METHOD VARIANCE; edi usage; adoption; performance

摘要

Interoperability is a crucial organizational capability that enables firms to manage information systems (IS) from heterogeneous trading partners in a value network. While interoperability has been discussed conceptually in the IS literature, few comprehensive empirical studies have been conducted to conceptualize this construct and examine it in depth. For instance, it is unclear how interoperability is formed and whether it can improve organizational performance. To fill the gap, we argue that interorganizational systems (IOS) standards are a key information technology infrastructure facilitating formation of interoperability. As an organizational ability to work with external trading partners, interoperability's development depends not only on capability building within firm boundaries but also on community readiness across firm boundaries. Using data collected from 194 organizations in the geospatial industry, we empirically confirm that interoperability is formed via these two different paths. Furthermore, our results show that interoperability acts as a mediator by enabling firms to achieve performance gains from IOS standards adoption. Our study sheds new light on formation mechanisms as well as the business value of interoperability.