Trust, power and interorganizational information systems: the case of the electronic trading community TransLease
Authors: Allen, David K.; Colligan, David; Finnie, Andrew; Kern, Thomas
Journal: Information Systems Journal (2000)
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2575.2000.00078.x
<jats:title><jats:italic>Abstract.</jats:italic></jats:title><jats:p>This paper focuses on Cap Gemini’s electronic commerce system, TransLease. TransLease is an interorganizational information system (IOS), which facilitates electronic commerce between motor vehicle leasing and repair companies. During our investigation, the system was used by approximately 1000 repair agents working for seven of the UK’s leading vehicle leasing and contract hire companies. This system was originally developed by AT&T and acquired by Cap Gemini in July 1998. At the time of acquisition, the system was seen as being of high strategic value, although it was also seen as underperforming. This paper reports the results of an action research project, which formed one element of the process by which Cap Gemini investigated the former problem. In the paper, TransLease is described as a complex electronic community, dependent upon the existence of symbiotic relationships. As such, the problems that the system users and developers experienced can be attributed to factors that impeded the mutual benefit accruing from participation in the system. The efficacy of the terms of exchange and the degree to which p…