Using Web Services for Intercompany Cooperation - An Empirical Study within the German Industry

The hitherto static Web is today extended in its applications by a dynamic component with the use of Web Services for intercompany cooperation. With their employment, business processes can be executed in a more efficient and effective way. However, their use within intercompany cooperation causes many problems from both a technical and economic aspect. This article focuses on the current employment of Web Services and the related problems. The results of an intersectoral survey on their implementation within the German industry are presented. We used the value chain according to PORTER to identify their employment. The main problems involved were filtered out and categorized by applying a factor analysis. We were thereby able to identify three main problems: Technical and economical integration problems, security problems and distrust towards transaction partners. Based on these factors, possible counteractive measures are presented and discussed. Finally, we show how companies utilize these measures.