E-Government meets E-Business: A Portal Site for Startup Companies in Switzerland
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E-Government meets E-Business:
A Portal Site for Startup Companies in Switzerland
Petra Schubert and Urs Häusler
Institute for Business Economics (IAB)
University for Applied Sciences Basel, Switzerland (FHBB)
Email: p.schubert@fhbb.ch
Copyright 2001 IEEE. Published in the Proceedings of the Hawai'i International Conference On System Sciences,
January 3-6, 2001, Maui, Hawaii.
Abstract The Internet also serves as an interface between
citizens and government, providing means for a more direct
Networked computer technology for business purposes is democracy [4]. The traditional communication relationship
no longer a domain of companies alone. The Internet has is one-to-many (government-to-citizen). The Internet
invaded private homes and is becoming a communication provides the infrastructure for a many-to-many
interface between private parties (e.g. personal E-Mail), communication, enabling residents to give their stand on
companies (E-Commerce) and the government (E- politics which is readable by peer citizens, as well as by
Government). The pervasion of the "virtual world" representatives of the state.
triggers government agencies to think about their role in
setting a proper social and legal framework and to offer E-Government is often referred to as "the E-Business of
electronic interfaces to citizens and companies alike. the state". The government has a great demand for
The paper gives a description of the relations between E- products and services and is responsible for a large
Business and E-Government with definitions of the new proportion of the gross national product. It is imperative
terms in the E-Business arena. We describe a portal site for the government to use electronic media in order to save
for the organization of intellectual property rights for cost and make procurement processes run smoothly and
startup companies as a representative E-Government more transparent. The predecessors of E-Government in
scenario. We conclude by summarizing our main findings public procurement were big EDI-projects e.g. as described
and stressing the importance of E-Government for a in [7] and [6]. These expensive systems could only be used
healthy economic and socio-political environment. by companies. Web technology brings E-Government into
the private home.
1. Introduction 2. E-Business and E-Government
With the unexpected and explosive growth of the 2.1.E-Business
Internet, E-Commerce has become a serious issue for the
private and public sector alike. Park [10] states that Definition 1. E-Business is a business model and
Electronic Commerce can be summarized in three words: focuses on the support of processes and relationships
paperless, timeless, borderless. The classical limitations of between business partners, employees and customers by
time and space dwindle – thanks to E-Commerce – and means of electronic media. The communication
competition on a local and international scale is relationships of a company with suppliers, business
consequently being intensified. E-Commerce in partners, customers and staff members are defined in the
combination with EDI (e.g. XML/EDI) is destined to have a framework of an E-Business strategy. E-Business is the
tremendous impact on the competitiveness of firms and the electronic support of business relationships from the
structure of markets and industries as predicted by early E- perspective of an enterprise (at the center of figure 1). The
Commerce authors [8], [2]. term E-Business is normally associated with the use of new
media or Internet technology. The electronic support ofbusiness relationships has already existed in the past (e.g.
EDI, IOS, Videotex telebanking etc.). Because of its many Figure 2 shows the relations between E-Government,
advantages (less expensive, common standards, E-Business and related terms.
infrastructure, globally available, interfacing with
households, etc.) Internet technology has enabled Definition 2. E-Commerce is that part of E-Business
electronic communication to make the breakthrough. Most which is oriented on the arrangement and execution of
(in particular large) companies already have legacy legally binding business transactions. It encompasses the
systems which are currently integrated into the new three transaction phases Information, Arrangement and
infrastructure (bookkeeping programs, ERP, PPS, special Execution [11].
applications e.g. of banks and insurance companies). E-
Business encompasses the substrategies for E-Commerce, Information
E-Procurement and E-Organization. Arrangement Execution
Knowle Intent
dge
E-Business is focussed on ...
Inform Definition of Negotiation Performance
goals
(1) New media ... The Internet and its protocols as an Figure 2: Transaction Phases
inexpensive, global carrier medium. The emerging
systems are “electronic business media”. In this context distinction is made between the different
(2) Relationships ... The exchange of business types of relationships
documentation, communication and transactions • Business-to-Business
between business partners and staff members. Business relationships between companies at various
(3) Integration ... The creation of (electronic) interfaces levels of the value chain (e.g. LeShop Post,
between existing systems (legacy systems) and new, Derendinger Garages, Amazon.com UPS)
internet-based E-Business applications which are • Business-to-Consumer
directly accessible for the partners, thereby Relationships between companies and end customers;
necessitating coordination of the company-internal end customers are companies or private households
processes (Business Process Reengineering - BPR). (e.g. Migros Online, Obi Baumarkt, etc.)
(4) Cooperation ... The cooperation with partners which in • Consumer-to-Consumer
E-Business acts as a leverage effect. Complementary Relationships between end consumers (e.g. EBay,
goods which are offered in E-Commerce applications Classifieds2000)
supplement the vendors offering to the maximum
benefit of the customer. “Performance systems” E-Commerce support systems are also referred to as
emerge [1]. The (sometimes quite necessary) Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. CRM
cooperation with competitors is also referred to as is the sales-oriented component of E-Business (cf. Figure
“Co-opetition”. 1) [9].
E-Government
E-Business
E-Procurement E-Commerce
Partners and My
Suppliers Extranet Internet Clients
Company
Business-to-Business Business-to-Business
E-Organization Business-to-Consumer
Consumer-to-Consumer
Supply Chain Management Intranet Customer Relationship Management
Business intern (employees)
Government Interactive E-Government Citizens /
Agencies Companies
E-Policy
Figure 1: E-Business/E-Governmentof IT-infrastructure for procurement, distribution of
services and internal organization.
Definition 3. E-Procurement
E-Procurement is the electronic support of procurement The weighting of interactive (participating) E-
processes (purchasing) of a company via new media. Government lies in the rendering of services to the outside.
Whereas Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems The objective is to render these services oriented on target
frequently support the procurement of direct goods, in group, efficiently and in a simple manner via the Internet.
recent times web technology-based systems which are The concept E-Government is relatively new and has not
known as Desktop Purchasing Systems are being launched yet been anchored in literature. Accordingly, to date there
on the market which support the purchasing of indirect is no generally valid definition. A possible definition which
goods. E-Procurement is organized in the scope of Supply embodies both E-Government aspects presented by us is
Chain Management (SCM) which defines the procurement- provided by Bernhard [3]:
oriented measures in the overall E-Business concept of a
company (cf. Figure 1) [5]. “Under the term “E-Government” all measures of public
administration institutions are to be understood that have
Definition 4. E-Organization the goal of a primarily external, but also internal
E-Organization is concentrated on the electronic performance improvement with regard to the defined task
support of internal communication between the members of or satisfaction of customer needs. The final objective is the
the staff of a company with the aid of the new media. The achievement of positive business management and social
objective is to render the company data available to the effects through the optimization and simplification of
employee at the right time in an appropriate form, as well as business process and by means of the use of modern
to image as much know-how and “tacit knowledge” of the information technology in order to maintain the
staff members in information systems. This internal attractiveness of the operating location for companies, as
orientation of E-Business is supported by the use of well as for other elements that play a role in the economy”.
document management systems, content management Whereas the first part of Bernhard’s definition, the
systems, groupware and the entire office automation “fulfillment of customers’ needs”, relates principally to the
sector. The company tasks in this category fall within the part of E-Government referred to by us as “interactive E-
sector of knowledge management. Government”, in the second part Bernhard also makes
reference to increasing the attractiveness of a country as a
3. E-Government business location, which relates to the second component,
the E-Policy.
The government is confronted by new technologies in
two different ways. Definition 5. E-Government
Our definition of E-Government which includes both
(1) E-Policy aspects – policies and the use of IT – is the following: E-
It has to define the legal framework for the use of IT Government includes the governmental task of setting a
in the respective country (e.g. recognition of the valid legal framework for the effective use of the electronic
digital signature). Furthermore, it must award media in a society as well as the application of these media
subsidies or other means of support, e.g. for public procurement, services to companies and citizens
installation of computers in schools, financial and the management of the internal organization. E-
assistance for IT startups, etc. This first task we Government has two dimensions: (1) Endowing the
will call E-Policy. economy with the necessary legal framework ("making E-
Business possible") and (2) applying it cost-effectively for
(2) Interactive E-Government governmental tasks. With this definition in mind it
The second task the government has to deal with is becomes clear that a well-planned, modern E-Government
defining its role as a market player in the virtual strategy will be the key to a competitive economy which
environment. Public information has to be made attracts companies in an increasingly global marketplace.
available to companies and citizens. Services can
be offered over the Internet. E-Commerce can be
used to support public procurement. These and
related questions span the field of E-Government in
its purest sense: E-Government as the
governmental counterpart to E-Business – the use4. Starting a business in Switzerland their services on the Internet, this process could be greatly
simplified. All these agencies are already present on the
Let us look at an entrepreneur who wants to found a Internet even though they do not yet offer their full range
company in Switzerland. He will have to go through a of services. Most of them are limited to supplying
complicated administrative process which includes information to their clients. Interaction possibilities with
interaction with multiple government agencies. In order to these websites are scarce.
found an "Aktiengesellschaft" (a stock corporation) the Due to the federated system in Switzerland concerted
company has to be registered in the "Handelsregister" action between the different agencies rarely occurs.
(trade register). In order to protect a brand name or product Almost every local agency is currently developing its own
name the company has to submit an application to the Internet approach. The proposed portal could be the
"Eidgenössisches Institut für Geistiges Eigentum" (the "single point of entry" to multiple services from multiple
patent office). The same applies for registering a patent. In agencies. This is what modern E-Government should look
order to build up an online presence a domain name has to like.
be registered. The Swiss country code domain can be
obtained from Switch (the registration service for .ch 5. The “immaterial property law” topic-related
domains). An additional .com domain has to be registered portal
using an accredited registrar, e.g. Network Solutions, Inc.
(a list of these can be found on the IANA Website). In The following considerations describe the idea of a
addition, the company has to pay taxes to the tax authority, topic-related portal that deals with the possible services
and to set up social security for its employees (AHV). and information needs that have to do with the topics
“immaterial property law” and “immaterial property”.
Registration in the federal Patent-Registration Taxes:
commercial Register: Swiss Federal Institute of Responsible Tax
Responsible F.C.R. office in Intelectual Properties Administration in the Canton
the Canton in which the which the company is located
company is located Services supported online:
Possibility to download the
Services supported online:
Services supported online: relevant forms Possibility to download the
Possibility to download the
relevant forms
relevant forms
New Company in Switzerland
Possible interactions with government agencies
Employee Insurance: Domain-Registration: Trademark-Registration:
Federal Office for social Swiss Academic & Research Swiss Federal Institute of
security Network (SWITCH), Zurich Intelectual Properties
Services supported online: Services supported online: Electronic Service:
Online Information Online-Registration Possibility to download the
relevant forms
Figure 3: Interactions with authorities on the founding of companies
Figure 3 shows the necessary initial contacts with
government agencies. 5.1.Definition of portal
The figure illustrates the long administrative procedure An Internet Portal is a structured website that provides
for starting up a new company. If all these agencies offered a point of entry into an array of structured web contents.The individual contents are grouped together by the portal Acting figures
operator and made available to interested parities. Portals The groups which are entitled to benefit in one way or
are typically multi-functional and make a multiplicity of another from the use of the portal are designated the acting
various informations and services available at a single figures. In this context they can assume various roles:
location. The basic prerequisite for the success of a portal vendor, purchaser, advertiser, interested party etc.
is the optimum makeup of the contents which is prepared
according to various roles (e.g. company founder) or topic Primary acting figures
fields (e.g. taxes). This entitled group is principally a recipient of the
output of a portal. The acting figures are interested in fast
and efficient attendance to their needs in the field of
5.2.General concept of a possible topic- immaterial property law. However, the primary acting
related portal for immaterial property law figures can also act as input suppliers. For examples, as
advertisers or vendors in the individual exchanges.
Title Description Interests Provider of Uses
Trademark attorney On mandate by third General access to Services (searches Information (texts of
parties searches are information. Quick and registrations laws, statutes etc.) and
made and trademarks processing of on behalf of third services (electronic
registered. Advises trademark parties) as well as trademark registrations,
comp anies in the registrations and consulting searches etc.) relating to
field of trademark searches. services. immaterial property law.
law. Advertising of
services.
Patent attorney Searches and patent General access to Services (searches Information (texts of
registrations are information. Quick and registrations laws, statutes etc.) and
made on behalf of processing of patent on behalf of third services (patent
third parties. applications and parties). applications, searches)
Consulting of searches for his/her Advertising of relating to immaterial
companies in patent client. services. property law.
law.
Large companies Companies with in- General access to Patent and Information and services
house R&D information. Quick trademark offerings relating to immaterial
departments perform processing of on the patent and property law.
searches and register searches and trademark Registration and
patents and registrations. exchanges. searches of patents and
trademarks. trademarks. Offerings on
patent and trademark
exchanges.
Small and medium- Small and medium- General access to Patent and Information and services
sized companies sized companies information. Quick trademark offerings relating to immaterial
perform searches processing of on the exchanges. property law and other
and registrations of searches and fields.
patents and registrations.
trademarks
independently.
Universities / In-house R&D General access to Patent offerings. Information and services
universities of departments conduct information. Quick Inventions with relating to immaterial
applied sciences searches and patent processing of commercialization property law. Data on
registrations. searches, and search potential. potential startups that
Knowledge used for for potential partners. would be interested in
purposes of commercialization.
instruction.Title Description Interests Provider of Uses
Startups Companies in General access to Consulting services in
process of being information and the field of trademark
founded information relative to and patent law,
startup in the field of registrations and
immaterial property searches, mediation of
law. professional partners
Fast processing of (venture capital donors,
searches and design ateliers, large
registrations, search corporations).
for professional
partners and advisers.
Private parties / Private parties and General access to Patent and Information and services
inventors inventors conduct information and trademark offerings relating to immaterial
searches and patent information relative to on the exchanges. property law.
registrations. startup.
Fast processing of
searches and
registrations
Table 1: Primary acting figures
Secondary acting figures
This group represents the expanded circle of parties
interested in the topic-related portal. They are principally
service and information input suppliers. Acting figures
which can be categorized in related areas of immaterial
property law are also represented. They also use the
platform for advertising for and information on their
services because it gives them an optimum medium
through which to address their target group.
Title Description Interests Supplies
Commercial Governmental Simple and efficient Information on
registration office registration office for processing of entries entries in commercial
companies in in the commercial register, listing of all
Switzerland register. entered companies
Switch Registration office Simple and efficient Information on
for domains processing. Wide domain registrations,
dissemination of electronic
services. registration of
domains.
Federal authorities Executive / Publication of Information (laws
Legislative / Judicial information on laws and statutes) in the
and statutes field of immaterial
property law.Title Description Interests Supplies
Regions / communes Location providers Publishing of Information on
for companies and information. parties with a
corporations Acquisition of potential interest in
companies and location, data on tax
corporations for their rates, business
jurisdictional promotion etc.
territory
Portal operators Ensures operation High utilization of Communication
and technical the portal, tools, patent and
development, advertising income. trademark
responsible for exchanges,
content and banner advertising areas,
management, user accounts,
provision of prepared content.
information tools
Venture capital Provision of risk Acquisition of Information on
donor capital. potential creditors, services, advertising.
search for
innovations and
inventions with
future earnings
potential.
IIP Institute for Earning of customer Services (searches
Intellectual Property. loyalty. and registrations) on
Administration of Simple and efficient behalf of third
trademarks and processing. parties.
patents. Distinction from Trademark and
European patent information,
registration offices. instruction offerings,
publications.
Design ateliers Prototype Acquisition of Service
construction for potential customers offering/advertising
others
Further acting Other acting Dissemination of Services and
figures BWL figures who reach information. advertising.
their target group via Advertising.
this portal Customer
acquisition.
Further acting Other acting figures Dissemination of Services and
figures in the who reach their information. advertising.
technical sector target group via this Advertising.
portal Customer
Table 2: Secondary acting figures acquisition.5.3 Portal services
In the table below possible services are described which
could be offered in the topic-related portal. Further
services can be added at any time inasmuch as they fit into
one of the user profiles.
Title Provider Type of service Cost
Trademark search IGE Independent online search Free of charge
Patent search IGE Independent online Search free of
search with existing tools charge/download subject
(IBM patent server, to charge
Espace-Net)
Order for trademark search IGE Online order for trademark Charges according to
search existing cost structure
Order for patent search IGE Online order for patent Charges according to
search existing cost structure
Trademark registration IGE Online trademark Charges according to
registration existing cost structure
Patent registration IGE Online patent registration Charges according to
existing cost structure
Commercial register search Commercial register office Independent online search Free of charge
Commercial register entry Commercial register office Online entry in commercial Charges according to
register existing cost structure
Domain name search and Switch Independent online search Charges according to
registration and registration existing cost structure
Patent and trademark Portal operator Patent and trademark Free of charge
exchange “bulletin board”
Online forum Portal operator Platform for mutual direct Free of charge
contact of the acting
figures, structured
according to topic
Acting figure- and topic- Portal operator Platform custom-tailored to Free of charge / against fee
specific platforms suit respective customer (according to acting
group figure)
Information given by Federal authorities, regions Information sorted by Free of charge
authorities / communes customer group on laws
and statutes (specifically
in the field of immaterial
property law).
Collection of links Portal operator Collection of links matched Free of charge
to the respective customer
group (edited and
updated).
Advertising platform Portal operator Possibility of advertising Subject to charge at cost
placement according to rate
customer segment
Table 3: Services6. Conclusions [7] Kim, Eun; Schubert, Petra; Selz, Dorian (1997): The EMBG
Reference Model on Electronic Markets: The Korean Case
With this paper an attempt is being made to bring light of Jodal, in: Joint Working Paper of the Institute for
into the jungle of the various terms and concepts in the Information Management, University of St. Gallen and the
sector of E-Business. In this context, under E-Government National Computerization Agency, Korea, October 1997.
we understand more than just “Governmental E-Business”. [8] Malone, Thomas; Yates, Joanne; Benjamin, Robert (1987):
E-Government additionally encompasses the stately Electronic Markets and Electronic Hierarchies, in:
mission of providing the possibility of a sound, flourishing Communications of the ACM, June 1987, Vol. 30, No. 6,
electronic trading environment by defining or pp. 484-497.
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Switzerland as an attractive business location. The York: Addison-Wesley, 1991.
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in competition with others on the market. This is a possible [11] Schmid, Beat (1999): Elektronische Märkte - Merkmale,
explanation of why the use of electronic media by Organisation und Potentiale, in: Hermanns, Arnold; Sauter,
governmental authorities has a tendency to progress Michael (eds.): Management-Handbuch Electronic
slower than in private companies. To this is added the Commerce, München: Franz Vahlen Verlag, 1999, pp. 31-
characteristic of the federalistic system in Switzerland of 48.
delegating competencies down to the lowest hierarchical
level which results in a large number of small, isolated E-
Business initiatives.
The example of the portal site for startup companies
shows that in the governmental sector intermediaries are
also able to play the role of a mediator and to generate
added value by the functional and topical grouping of E-
Business offerings.
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