Semantic Web-Based Information Systems: State-of-the-Art ...
Semantic Web-Based Information Systems: State-of-the-Art ...
Semantic Web-Based Information Systems: State-of-the-Art ...
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S ngh, Iyer, & Salam<br />
Potential.<strong>Semantic</strong>.E-Business.Applications<br />
Supply Chain Management<br />
Supply chain management (SCM) is a common strategy employed by businesses<br />
to improve organizational processes to optimize <strong>the</strong> transfer <strong>of</strong> goods, information,<br />
and services between buyers and suppliers in <strong>the</strong> value chain (Poirier & Bauer,<br />
2000). A fundamental ongoing endeavor <strong>of</strong> SCM is to foster information transparency<br />
(availability <strong>of</strong> information in an unambiguously interpretable format) that<br />
allows organizations to coordinate supply chain interactions efficiently in dynamic<br />
market conditions. A standard ontology for all trading partners is necessary for<br />
seamless transformation <strong>of</strong> information and knowledge essential for supply chain<br />
collaboration (Singh et al., forthcoming). Increasing complexity in supply chains<br />
make <strong>the</strong> timely sharing <strong>of</strong> accurate information among collaborating partners a<br />
critical element in <strong>the</strong> efficiency <strong>of</strong> workflows and e-business processes. <strong>Information</strong><br />
and knowledge exchange facilitated through semantic <strong>Web</strong> technologies enable <strong>the</strong><br />
creation <strong>of</strong> global information partnerships across <strong>the</strong> entire supply chain. Organizations<br />
embracing such paradigms can sustain <strong>the</strong>ir competitive advantages by having<br />
an effective and efficient e-supply chain and realize benefits such as reduced cycle<br />
times, lower product costs, reduced inventory, better quality decision making, and<br />
improved customer service.<br />
E-Marketplaces<br />
Infomediaries perform a critical role in bringing toge<strong>the</strong>r buyers and suppliers in<br />
<strong>the</strong> e-marketplace and facilitating transactions between <strong>the</strong>m. A detailed description<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> value-added activities provided by infomediaries in e-marketplaces can be<br />
found in Grover and Teng (2001). The infomediary adds value through its role as<br />
an enterprise system hub responsible for <strong>the</strong> critical integration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> information<br />
flows across participant firms (Davenport & Brooks, 2004). Infomediaries become<br />
vital repositories <strong>of</strong> knowledge about buyers, suppliers, and <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> exchanges<br />
among <strong>the</strong>m including <strong>the</strong> past experiences <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r buyers’ reliability and trustworthiness<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> supplier. They provide independent and observed post-transaction<br />
assessment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> commitments <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> individual buyers and sellers to facilitate <strong>the</strong><br />
development <strong>of</strong> coordination structures, leading to collaborative relationships in<br />
e-supply chains. The integration <strong>of</strong> intelligence and knowledge within and across<br />
e-marketplaces can enhance <strong>the</strong> coordination <strong>of</strong> activities among collaborating<br />
firms across e-marketplaces (Singh et al., 2003). Collaborations create information<br />
partnerships between organizations to enable <strong>the</strong> delivery <strong>of</strong> products and services<br />
to <strong>the</strong> customer in an efficient manner. Such information partnerships are founded<br />
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