Leading change in e-commerce

Inevitably the adoption of any new technology brings about change but e-commerce is significantly different in that it completely shifts global business into a fast paced electronic environment. The old notions of management are totally ineffective and a new style, focused on 'leadership', is required - but what style of leadership? The findings of this research indicate that organizations that have successfully integrated ecommerce have exhibited a unique style of leadership. Using a change management matrix, which determines the impact of change versus leadership style within an organisation, 182 Australian managers were surveyed and positioned within this matrix. It was found that within the most successful organisations, leaders had a distinctive style that facilitated the appropriate change and established a conducive e-commerce environment.