ABSTRACT
The convergence of the Internet age and the new global
economy has led to an era of unprecedented opportunity
and challenges for organizations wishing to compete in the
global arena. Traditional brick-and-mortar methods of doing
business have given way to global information networks;
“virtual companies” (which exist solely in “Internet space”
without a unifying physical presence); and every possible
combination of business partnership imaginable, ranging
from traditional customer-supplier relationships tomultilevel
outsourcing deals. The impact of this rapid change is that
companies have been forced to seek new ways to achieve
sustainable profitability in the face of increasing competi-
tion from overseas. At the same time, uncertain economic
conditions have resulted in extensive cost-cutting efforts
and downsizing at many traditionally stable organizations.
Opportunities to increase productivity while lowering
expenses are cheered equally in the boardroom and on
the trading floor.
