Abstract
In an increasing competitive business environment organizations have to improve their performance and be cost-effective in order to survive. According to previous research, new technologies are potential tools to use in order to make processes more effective and to cut costs (Huber, 1990). This chapter investigates and discusses different effects when using mobile solutions in logistics. In this chapter, solution is defined as a matching of an offering to a specific customer problem. Mobile solution is defined as an offering to a specific problem, which in some parts, consists of wireless technology. New mobile solutions have the potential to bring changes to businesses and industries, even though changes are expected to come gradually (Gordon & Gebauer, 2001). It has been argued that new mobile technologies have the potential to change the structure of activity links and interactions between actors in different parts of logistics chain, from the suppliers to the customers. Hence, when mobile solutions are implemented, several actors can be involved and affected: the user organization investing in the new solution, the people in the organization using the mobile solution (end-users), the user organization’s suppliers and customers and more. Moreover, different actors will perceive the changes in the activities, in the interactions with other actors differently, and also, the effects generated will be perceived differently. This chapter focuses on and investigates changes both in activities and in interactions. An underlying assumption is that effects will be different depending on whose perspective is taken: the user organization’s perspective, the individual end-user’s perspective, the suppliers’ point of view or the customer’s perspective.