Success factors for domestic and international electronic data interchange(EDI) implementation for US firms

To harness the full potential of electronic data interchange (EDI), a consi derable amount of attention needs to be paid to its implementation. This re search examines factors that are critical for American companies in impleme nting EDI in the US and internationally. Data from 56 firms serves as a bas is of the findings reported here. For EDI within the US, the selection of E DI standards, relationships with trading partners, support and commitment o f top management, the availability of value-added networks (VANs), and secu rity and audit controls are identified as key factors in achieving success. However for success in international EDI, availability of a mature and rel iable telecommunications infrastructure, access to international VANs, "fri endliness" of laws governing global trade, and security in electronic data transmission are found critical. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.