services as a result of direct elec

services as a result of direct electronic interaction with clients; and an increased ability to strengthen or develop supply chain management [Johnson and Klassen 2005]. The transportation of goods by sea, being an integral part of the movement of raw materials and semi and fully processed goods, is influenced directly and indirectly by the growing use of EC. Thus, the focus of this study was to understand the changes, if any, in the strategic management of deep-sea container shipping companies resulting from the introduction of EC applications in organizations. More specifically, this study looked at the role of EC in business strategy formulation and implementation over time to determine
whether the relevance of EC to container shipping companies has shifted over time, from its perceived role as a tactical tool in strategy implementation in 1992 to a driver in strategy formulation in 2002.