Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Global Information
Systems
Oz (5th edition)
Figure 9.2: Imperatives to heed when designing Web sites for an international audience
Technological Challenges
Challenges
Not all countries have adequate
information technology infrastructures
Unable to build international IS
Broadband communication lines needed
Solutions
Offer two versions of Websites to
compensate for slower bandwidth
Use low earth orbit satellite systems to
build network for voice and data
Technological Challenges
(continued)
Challenges
Language is technological challenge
because eight-bit bytes not sufficient for
languages with large character sets (e.g.,
Chinese
Fields such as telephone numbers present
problems for databases in MNFs
Solutions
Use double-byte characters (e.g., unicode
allows for 65,536 characters)
Fields for telephone numbers must be
variable length to allow flexibility
Challenges
Countries have different importing
regulations
Executives reluctant because of hassles
Even with research there are fears that
employees will not know how to comply with
laws of destination countries
Solutions
There are programs such as NextLinx to help
importers and exporters for Web commerce
NextLinx is integrated within the firm s
systems
When an international order is placed the
software determines tariffs, cost of
delivery, provides forms, and logistics
Challenges
E-commerce allows easy payment for
online purchases
Credit cards preferred payment method in
North America
Not all countries adopt this preference
Japanese avoid using credit cards
Solutions
Web sites for international firms must
have multiple payment mechanisms
Konbini example in Japan
Language Differences
Challenges
International parties must agree on common language
Data not transmittable internationally because
information must be translated; computers still cannot
accurately translate on the fly
English considered de facto international language
Many countries require accounting systems to be in
the local language
Solutions
Largest companies translate Web sites into local
languages
Web site design and translation should be done in
overseas offices although the server may be located in
another country; lack of uniformity in languages
Multiple accounting systems in different languages
Cultural Differences
Challenges
Different countries vary
Tastes
Gestures
Treatment of people
Ethical issues
Conservative groups against
Americanization
Solutions
MNFs should employ local personnel to
design their Web sites or version of a Web
site that will appeal to a particular country
Challenges
Goal of corporate management
Seize large market share and maximize organization
profits
Goal of governments is to protect economic, scientific, and
security interests of its people
Occasionally interests conflict
Drawings related to the design and manufacture of
weapons
Software packages
Encryption software
Differences in treatment of trade secrets, patents, and
copyright law
Solutions
No easy ones
Pressure from America for stronger copyright laws
International trade groups
Political Challenges
Challenge
Information is power and some countries oppose policy
of free access to information and limit use of Internet
Governments recognize that software is an economic
resource and require firms to purchase local software
to build local industry; problems for firms trying to
standardize
Solutions
MNFs may have to cut some content from their sites to
limit risks of offending local government
Limit use of employee blogs
International human rights pressure may help in the
long run
Use open source software (e.g., Linux, MySQL) can
help
Different Standards
Challenge
No international accounting standards
United States uses English system of weights
and measures; rest of world uses metric
system
Different standards for dates, temperatures,
time, telephone numbers, and addresses
Different standards for product codes
Solution
Multiple accounting systems
Multiple versions of data where user can
request version needed (i.e., software must
be flexible and give users choice)
Promotion of universal product codes
Legal Barriers
Challenges
Countries have different laws that affect
global business in general and in
particular areas such as
Privacy with respect to data collection
International transfer of data
Free speech
Location of legal proceedings
Other differences in law
Auctions
Gambling
Sale of liquor and prescription drugs
US privacy laws
Slanted toward the public sector (government)
Over 50 % encompass manual and computerized
systems
Limited provisions for individuals versus legal
entities (corporations)
EU privacy laws
Covers both public and private sector
Stronger protection regarding computerized
decision making
Variance in EU with respect to coverage of entities;
strong coverage with respect to individuals
Challenge
American companies collect data for marketing
purposes on all their customers, but differences
between European and American approaches
prevent unrestricted flow of information with
respect to data collection on EU customers
For example, EU agents monitor US companies
that collect data on EU citizens
Solution
The EU has worked with the US Dept of
Commerce to enable US companies who comply
with EUs Directive on Data Privacy to carry on
trade without fear of violating the directive
(Safe Harbor arrangement)
Challenge
Suppose you purchased an item from a site
located in another country, and the item has
a defect or arrived after the time promised.
Because your request for compensation or
other remedies has not been answered, you
decide to sue. Where do you file the lawsuit?
Solution
Country- of-origin principle whereby all legal
matters are confined to the country where
the site operates
Country-of-destination principle whereby the
laws of the country to which the site caters
apply regarding dealings with the site,
regardless of the sites country (EUs
approach)
Challenge
MNFs must craft policies that work for
employees, customers, and IS for all time
zones
Time stamping
Solutions
Teleconferencing systems can help; but huge
time differences require accommodations for
employees in other time zones
Chat rooms and bulletin boards for
asynchronous communication
Opportunity to work on projects 24 hours a
day
Enable customer support personnel to be
available 24/7 without requiring night shift
work
Standard policy for time stamping documents
Summary
Summary (continued)