SVITA: A structured value-based approach to IT E-Commerce initiatives

Commercial use of the Internet and Electronic Commerce has increased dramatically. This has also been called an age of 'business uncertainty'. The way successful businesses compete in this dynamic environment may be different. For these reasons, the way Information Technology can be used as a source of added value and competitive advantage may be different.;IT strategies successful in deploying E-Commerce in this uncertain environment must accomplish the following: (1) Show how IT can add value specifically in the context of the contemporary business environment. (2) Reference the changed competitive threats and opportunities in this environment. (3) Address the uncertainty that characterizes the market and business operations.;This paper presents 'SVITA'; a Structured Value-based IT Approach to E-Commerce deployment. It consists of (a) 'value-creating principles', actions observed to create value in the Information Age, (b) a four-phase 'value-creation process' as a structured framework to apply these actions, and (c) a 'value-creation checklist' as an aid to implementation. Examples of its use are shown.