CONTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO BUSINESS PERFORMANCE AS AN EMBEDDED FACTOR OF "DIFFERENTIATION MECHANISM" : A CASE STUDY OF SEVEN-ELEVEN JAPAN(APCIM2009 Best Papers)

Abstract

This paper argues how a firm incorporates information systems into the differentiation system as a resource or activity, and how information systems affect business performance. Information systems often have an indirect effect on business performance/competitive advantage, but it does not mean that this condition cannot be analyzed. Information system is an element of "Differentiation mechanism," and this mechanism can be analyzed as a cause of business performance/competitive advantage. As a case study, we selected Seven-Eleven Japan, which has excellent information systems, and discuss how the company established its business superiority.