Foreword

Ever since the commercial launch of the internet browser – in 1995 – the days of the industrial society have been numbered. Even throughout the post-hype era – since 2000 – the ICT led transformation of business has only become clearer, as testified, for example, by initiatives such as eEurope and eTampere, and the new bodies of knowledge they catalysed for.

In fact, the book at hand – Frontiers of e-Business Research (FeBR) 2005 – could be said to physically complete the eTampere era in the life of e-Business Research Forum (eBRF), the conference organised annually, in Tampere, since 2001. Metaphorically speaking, these words could also be considered as the closing of the book on e-Business Research Center (eBRC), one of the six subprograms of eTampere, which, during its predetermined life of 2001-2005, created, among other things, the conference underlying these proceedings.

In a way, FeBR 2005 symbolises how the Business domain was sought to benefit from University driven activities in a Government enabled, large-scale knowledge society program. Namely, the need for ever tighter interaction, alignment of interest, and joint venturing between the sectors of Business, University, and Government (B.U.G.) has been the grand idea behind the actions and activities that have led to this compilation of multidisciplinary research. The mission of eBRC, and hence also the guiding light of the entire eBRF process, has been to benefit business by providing practitioners and policy makers a possibility to join forces for the creation of knowledge-based-evidence for evidence-based-policy.

Measured against this end, FeBR 2005 is only complete when reviewed together with the four preceding proceedings. When approached and analysed as one publication, FeBR 2001-2005 constitutes for – one is tempted to phrase – an interesting longitudinal window on the post hype evolution of e-business research. The five FeBR publications comprise 232 research papers from 19 different countries and, within Finland alone, 12 different universities.

It cannot be overemphasized that, without eTampere, none of this academic venturing had taken place. Besides the enabling financing by the City of Tampere, partnerships with entities across B.U.G. have been instrumental in building the conference platform. In 2005, Academy of Finland, Metso Automation, Nordea, Tampere Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Technology Centre Hermia and the European Regional Knowledge Management Network contributed to the completion of the project with both encouragement and resources. Last, but not least, I wish to thank my every co-worker, our every partner, and every author – throughout the eTampere era – for having been part of this value network.

With the closing of "a book" at hand, I am all the happier that the opening of a new one is already emerging. The new era of eBRF begins with a joint conference with the International Conference on Electronic Business (ICEB). ICEB has been organised, also since 2001, in Beijing, Hong Kong (twice), Singapore, and Taipei. It is heart-warming, that the new era of eBRF begins where ICEB goes first outside of Asia, namely, in Tampere.

Looking forward to seeing you – at least once more in Tampere – at ICEB + eBRF 2006!

Marko Seppä
Chair/Co-Chair of eBRF 2001-2005