Staffing Electronic Commerce Projects: Framework for Developing Appropriate Skill Sets

Abstract

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) personnel are instrumental in developing and maintaining electronic commerce programs and projects within firms. In spite of the dot-com bust, the number of firms developing and using e-commerce for interactions with customers and suppliers is growing. Personnel competence as individuals and as a group can be a decisive force in determining the level of success of e-commerce projects. In this chapter, we present a conceptual framework as an extension and reformulation of several of the currently active fit theories of human resource management and industrial psychology. We propose consideration of five categories of skills that should be present in organizational e-commerce workforce (human computer interface, data storage and analysis, transaction/application development, infrastructure, and project management). Finally, based on the adjusted concepts of fit, we present a set of propositions showing expected relationships between organizational and fit related variables on workforce outcomes.