The Internet, Value Chain Visibility, and Learning

It is unquestioned that the growth of the Internet is a significant phenomenon. Not only is there an exponential growth in the exchange of goods and services over the Internet, the Internet has changed the way information can be accessed and used. This paper posits that the Internet has made a fundamental change in the nature of the information value chain. The Internet has changed the visibility of the processes in the information value chain. Visibility means both information about processes and the capability for interacting with these processes. Because of this visibility, the Internet enables the emergence of online communities and makes possible more rapid and complete learning. The paper discusses the implications of the theory of visibility and the learning perspective on information system research, design, and management.