Singapore Tradenet A Tale of One City

Suggested Study Questions 1. What was Lee Kuan Yew’s vision for Singapore? What challenges did he face in achieving this vision? 2. Describe the trade documentation process before and after the implementation TradeNet. Who were the major stakeholders involved in the process redesign? 3. Evaluate the process used to implement TradeNet. Would you consider the implementation “successful” If so, what factors contributed to its success? If not, what factors contributed to its failure? 4. What effect will Tradenet have on countries inside and/or outside the Pacific Rim? Dr. Chen, Singapore TradeNet TM -2

Why TradeNet case? The case presents the story behind the development of an industrywide information technology (IT) platform to facilitate trade documentation processing. The (TradeNet) system is essential for Singapore to maintain its position as a key port in the region. Dr. Chen, Singapore TradeNet TM -3

Goals of the TradeNet Project The original goal Redesign of the trade process to The transformation of the country’s Strategy and infrastructure EDI eventually led to the development of TradeNet Dr. Chen, Singapore TradeNet TM -4

TradeNet involves the partnership of a unique assortment of government agencies, bureaus, statutory boards, private agencies, and private companies involved in all aspects of the shipment of goods. The apparent success of the effort invites a review of the factors that contributed to the initiative and its implementations. The case provides an inter-organizational perspective to the theme of IT-enabled organizational changes and an example of IT-enabled business process redesign. Dr. Chen, Singapore TradeNet TM -5

Lee Kuan Yew’s Vision for Singapore Challenges and opportunities that Singapore faced from its birth as an independent city-state to 1989. Lee’s methods (leadership style) for moving the country forward (committed, involved) Paul Nutt’s four tactics of leadership styles edict, persuasion, participation, and active intervention most frequently used most successful How important of trade to Singapore’s success (and why?) Dr. Chen, Singapore TradeNet TM -6

TradeNet Implementation Discuss the process by which the country transformed its trade process to increase its competitiveness. 1. Establishing direction and developing the infrastructure vision, infrastructure embark on initiatives to identify opportunities (RFI, RFP) 2. Clarifying the focus for change and establishing the transition organization no single organization could accomplish the trade process redesign independently (partnership) social infrastructure change Dr. Chen, Singapore TradeNet TM -7

TradeNet Implementation (cont.) five critical success factors: gain commitment of all interested parties agreement to agree each representative was an influential leader redesign was a larger (interorganizational) BPR personnel movement are easier and quick (job rotations) 3. Redesigning the trade process prototype: Trade Dial-Up (Merchants Air Cargo Inc.) existing process and new BPR Five critical success factors: 1. gain commitment of all interested parties 2. agreement to agree - cascading commitment based on the nature of the agreement between the stakeholders 3.each representative was an influential leader of a large group of stakeholders - scope of he involvement of interested parties 4. redesign was a larger (interorganizational) BPR - breadth and depth - as opposed to the individual pieces of the process controlled by each organization 5. personnel movement are easier and quick (job rotations) - than would be possible in much larger countries: relationship, relocation, geographic, cultural changes & JOB ROTATIONfS N Dr. Chen, Singapore TradeNet TM -8

TradeNet Implementation (cont.) 4. Technical design and implementation (levels of risk) project size project structure experience with the technology (outsouricng and technology transfer) any evidence of the benefits 5. An interesting approach to profit (liberal approach) extensive use of the statutory boards the government looked at capital and operations quite differently (effectiveness vs. efficiency) Dr. Chen, Singapore TradeNet TM -9

Beyond TradeNet Impact of TradeNet on other countries: Inside the Pacific Rim Taiwan Japan Hong Kong (TradeLink -- still in studying phase in 1991) Outside the Pacific Rim Holland Norway U.S.A. The “second act” economic dynamism quality of life national identity global reach Dr. Chen, Singapore TradeNet TM -10

Beyond TradeNet (cont.) TradeNet and SNS have become key building blocks of a bolder and more comprehensive vision for information infrastructure development in Singapore. EDI and value-added network services are seen as critical components for achieving the sophisticated infrastructure needed to support Singapore’s position as a global city.

Lessons for the Design of the Information Age Organization Small size (state-county) vs. large size country Eastern vs. western organization collaborative and participative, yet top-down The organizational design challenge of the 1990s (TN-5)

Conclusions We have an opportunity to analyzing the characteristics of an information age organization and the role of IT in supporting it. Understand the issues of: interorganizational and global organization design information infrastructure the longitudinal implementation of comprehensive, systemic organization change

Figure: Hierarchy of Leadership Tools Vision Mission, Principles, and Values Goals / Objectives Strategies Plans Tactics Hierarchy of Leadership Tools Figure: Hierarchy of Leadership Tools

Figure Stages of Information-Systems Strategic Planning Vision Mission Policies Goals Time Horizon Metrics Values Objectives Time Horizon Metrics Values Strategies Tactics Figure Stages of Information-Systems Strategic Planning