Web 2.0

Over the next few blogs, I will be sharing some of the results of the research and benchmarking study I have done on over 800 global retailer websites on their Web 2.0 adoption rates. The objective of this research project has been to benchmark the Web 2.0 initiatives across global retail enterprises. The results in turn would enable enterprises to benchmark themselves against competitors, arrive at strategies, best practices as well as roadmap for future Web 2.0 initiatives. First let me give an overview of the research methodology, the data set, analysis parameters etc. The methodology adopted is Website analysis. Each retailer website was analysed in detail for the presence/absence or degree of sophistication of over 30 Web 2.0 features and parameters and they were in turn assigned scores. The sample set consists of retailers spread across the world. Lets look at some statistics as part of this study. Total sample size: 708. The sample break-up of retailers based on country of origin looks like this: USA(452), France(37), Germany(50), Japan(38), Netherlands(14), UK(57), Finland(21),Australia(9), Canada(25), Spain(12), Portugal(9), Others(82). This retail population was in turn segmented into retail segments and the breakup and the number of retailers in each segment looks like this: Apparel & Footwear(143), Catalog & Mail Order(45), Consumer Electronics & Entertainment(57), Department & Discount(63), Drug Stores, Health & Beauty(49), Supermarkets & Grocery(225), Home Improvement(30), Specialty(194). I will share some of the results of this research in the forthcoming entries.

Posted by Dr. Jai Ganesh at 03:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2007 (http://www.biz.colostate.edu/amcis07/) is being held during August 9-12 in Keystone, Colorado. Me and my colleague are co-chairing a track on Web 2.0 titled 'Web 2.0 and Collaborative Value Creation' (http://www.biz.colostate.edu/amcis07/Mini_Tracks/E_Biz-Web_2.0-Ganesh.htm). The track will feature 3 papers (http://www.biz.colostate.edu/amcis07/AMCIS_Progam_2007.htm). During AMCIS 2007, I am also conducting a half day workshop on Aug 9th (8:30 AM - 12:00 PM) titled 'Web 2.0: Principles, Constituents and Business Models' (http://www.biz.colostate.edu/amcis07/AMCIS_Progam_2007.htm). So, please plan on attending AMCIS 2007 and lets keep the dialogue going.    

Posted by Dr. Jai Ganesh at 03:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I think with Web 2.0 technologies, the Enterprise can open up a whole new set of implementations, which in the past were expensive, time-consuming and difficult to justify from an ROI stand-point. Web 2.0 technology today, with its simplicity in implementation can enable organizations to do things quickly and cost effectively. For example a Collaborative Innovation network.

Imagine if there is an ecosystem of partners, suppliers, universities and customers together working with the product development and marketing teams to come up with a new product line or service line. This unleashes immense potential as well as enable reduce rework and failures drastically. In the past such networks did exist, but its operations were marred by broken email communication or iterations of documents flowing back and forth.

With social computing technology this becomes a much cost effective solution. A simple wiki with necessary moderation can become a very effective tool in strengthening this ecosystem. Add to this the power of an SOA based process orchestration which can drive this as well as dove-tail it into the product creation process.

Have a good one!

Posted by Tushar Sachdev at 03:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)