Computer Science Research No.01

The following are short reports I have written about the research papers from Stanford University. The topics of the research papers are related to the implementation of Information Technology on business firms. After discussing the cited research paper, I have added my own reflections or reactions from understanding the matters concerned. Any further comments or reactions you want to add in my statements are welcome. The reports are as follows:

Research Paper No.1:

“Does Internet Always Intensify Price Competition?”

Rajiv Lal, Miklos Sarvary (April 1998)

Graduate School of Business, Stanford University

The paper is committed to the concern of the Internet as a significant factor in the price competition of the global market. It explores on the “actual” effect of the Internet on price competition, pertaining to the impact or effects on the consumers buying in the stores or in the Net.

The material cited two important attributes called digital and non-digital attributes of the products or services that must be recognized in order to distinguish the difference in buying in the store from buying in the Internet. It also discusses the primary role of the Internet on different kinds of business practices. It provides formulas, which is used in presenting the probabilities or the range of the effects of the Internet in various aspects of business practices.

In describing various situations, the paper employs the use of different kind of scenarios in illustrating a range of effects and outcome. The research utilizes direct observation and statistics in derivation of the conclusion. In general, the research provides that the Internet does not always intensify price competition in the market but in some instances provide price increase and cost savings.

After discussing the observations I have made from evaluating the research paper, I have reflected that although the Internet may play an important part in the business markets, it does not significantly affect the price competition. Although with many advantages brought by the Internet, it is important that all the Internet brings are information only, specifically digital images or texts, not the exact product. So other examinations done to evaluate the product cannot be made in the Internet thus affecting the evaluation of fair pricing. And also with the cut in the expenses of transportation and search for the product the Internet brings, it does not fully bring the satisfaction from examining the product directly. The assurance from buying from the Internet is low. All these can tremendously affect the pricing of the products. So it can be also said that you cannot fully reduce expenses if you buy products from the Internet. My conclusion is formed after reading the mentioned research paper and from other small research I made.

Research Paper No.2:

“Information Sharing in a Supply Chain”

Hau L. Lee, Seungjin Whang (July 1998)

Graduate School of Business, Stanford University

The paper addresses the utilization of information technology in sharing information in a supply chain business. Coordination and management of supply chains through the use of information systems that seems practical today have developed difficulties that must be recognized, according to the paper.

The research paper introduces communication in supply chain management through information systems. It also discusses the types of information shared and along with it, the three models of information sharing. Some companies have been cited for their practices in sharing information with their partners in their business.

Lastly, the challenges of supply chain management are mentioned and discussed. Some figures are provided for reference and further representation of data. The paper ends without solid answers to the problems mentioned but it addresses the full value of information sharing depending on the challenges described in the study.

This time the implementation of Information Technology is being established in a common business practice in my country. In my understanding, implementing Information Technology in companies is very advantageous for the firm, especially in the companies found in my city. Famous food chain businesses like Jollibee, McDonalds, etc., and other kind of companies such as Octagon, Cd-r king, etc., can be found that implementing Information Technology in their current system may improve their operations. Not only in the improvement of usual operations, the companies can also produce other solutions to other areas of problems like when dealing with customers that is accustomed to other branch with the same company. With this research, it can be stated that it may cause the company to be more competitive in the market but introducing the Information Technology in these kind of business practice also brings problems and matters that needs to be mentioned and discussed. Further research can reveal that these problems can be solved differently through their own management of the Information system. I expect further research will be made according to the problems not only mentioned in the research paper but the other arising problems as well.

Research Paper No.3:

“Information Technology as a Jealous Mistress: Competition for Knowledge between Individuals and Organizations”

Terri Griffith, John E. Sawyer, Margaret A. Neale (April 2000)

Graduate School of Business, Stanford University

The research paper is about the significance of Information Technology in distributing knowledge to individuals in organizations, which promotes competition between each individual in organizations and individual to the organization. The study addresses the importance of the tacit or explicit knowledge possessed by individuals inside the organization and how the management acknowledges it. The competition derived from it are being affected by the information system being utilized by the organization, whether it helps promote competition or lessens it are the concerns cited in the paper.

Backgrounds of the concerned fields are thoroughly discussed and various figures are presented to help identify the implications concerned. Although concrete derivations or conclusions are not produced in the research, the paper provides definite observations, which may help in providing critical management decisions.

This last research paper I have chosen because I believe in the necessity to discuss the conflicts found inside the companies that had implemented Information Technology in their system. Without discussing these important matters may cause the Information System to fail entirely. The most important case is when handling the competition for proper knowledge is found within the organization. Upon analyzing the research paper, It can be stated that the competition for knowledge is present in most companies although it is not exactly noticeable by the organization itself. The issue is elevated when an Information System is present and is affecting the people surrounding it.

Implementation of an Information System (IS) may bring ethical issues such as the knowledge it brings causing the knowledge of an individual in the company obsolete. There is also the question of the knowledge needed by an individual to operate within the system of the organization with the IS being present. The research did not produce concrete solutions in addressing these problems. Further research can find that many organizations have faced the same kind of problem. With my own observation, I can pronounce that the management of the IS and management of the organization can only answer to these problems.

These reports have been made without trying to duplicate or in anyway copy the statements of my sources. Any part of my report as being familiar or has been found similar to other materials is purely coincidental and I apologize for it. Thank you for reading my short report and any kind of comment or reaction are welcomed.

The research papers being referred to can be found in these links:

https://gsbapps.stanford.edu/researchpapers/library/rp1457R.pdf

https://gsbapps.stanford.edu/researchpapers/library/rp1549.pdf

https://gsbapps.stanford.edu/researchpapers/library/rp1611.pdf