A conceptual framework for the assessment of EDI

The assessment of EDI impact is confronted with two problems: on the one hand it is difficult to evaluate the contribution of EDI as it cannot be fully distinguished from its context, namely the information system, the organization and the strategy (internal perspective), on the other hand most of the effects have an impact only in the context of inter-organizational transactions (external perspective). In response to these problems, the paper develops and applies two conceptual frameworks to elaborate the economic understanding of EDI: contingency theory and information logistics. On this theoretical background propositions concerning the context and impact of EDI are formulated which are then illustrated by the findings of an evaluation study of 12 EDI Pilot Projects, funded by the Commission of the European Communities in the context of the TEDIS Programme