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Different views of NGEs have been
presented in the literature [Drucker 2001, kidd 2000, Pohle
2005, Umar 2004]. The main message is that NGEs provide a
network of specialized services that are offered over a global
connectivity platform that is the backbones of NGEs. Within this
broad picture, several types of configurations can be envisioned
depending on the usage scenarios, the parties involved (e.g.
retailers and end customers as opposed to wholesalers) and a
number of other attributes. After experimenting with several
conceptual models, we feel that the following four mega-trends
define a reference multidimensional space for NGE (see figure).
- Automation of internal as
well as external business activities through eBusiness,
ecommerce and other “e-initiatives”.
- Mobility support for the
mobile customers and workforce.
- Distribution of operations
to widely dispersed sites due to outsourcing and rentals.
- Agility (on-demand
services) to quickly respond to changing business
conditions.
The main idea is that NGEs are
not one dimensional entities that are relying on agility or
mobility but are instead multidimensional enterprises that are
pushing the envelope in all four directions.
Different enterprises can be mapped to different regions in this
diagram and are represented as circles/ellipses. For example,
the inner circles shown in the figure indicate traditional
enterprises with low reliance on any of these four capabilities
while others show extended enterprises. For each dimension, the
[low, medium, high] ordering is defined by locating the “easy
case” at the center, in such a way that outer regions naturally
come to represent more challenging areas. The main idea is that
NGEs lie at the outer edges of this model. As the NGEs push
simultaneously towards these four dimensions, they dramatically
increase their reliance on a complex array of IT (information
technology) services and thus create many new challenges.
Specifically, an NGE utilizes the next generation of business
models (e.g., real time business management, mobile processes
and virtual operations through outsourcing) by fully exploiting
and integrating the next generation technologies (e.g., wireless
communications, broadband networks Semantic Web, Web Services
and Services Oriented Architectures) to succeed in the
competitive global marketplace.
Source:
Drucker, P., "The Next
Society", The Economist, Nov 1st 2001.
Kidd, P., "Next Generation
Enterprise Model", Revised September 2000,
http://www.CheshireHenbury.com
Pohle,G.,et al, " The
Specialized Enterprise: A Fundamental Redesign of firms
and Industries", IBM Institute for Business Value study,
November 2005
Umar, A., "IT
Infrastructure to enable Next Generation Enterprises",
Information System Frontiers Journal, Volume 7, Numer 3,
July 2005, pp: 217-256
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