eated requests by its trading partners to increase usage that firm, although it has adopted EDI, still shows strong resistance. In the studies there arose three main factors that contributed to a firms resistance to EDI. These factors were as follows: uncertainty, EDI standardization, and perceived EDI benefit. Each factor will be discussed in the following paragraphs. Uncertainty The concept of uncertainty has been defined as the "inability of a firm to forecast accurately the technical requirements of the EDI system in the relatively near future" (Suzuki, 37). When there is a high level of unpredictability firms tend not to form long lasting agreements with other firms, such as those found in an EDI partnership, because they wish to retain the flexibility to terminate relationships whenever necessary. EDI increases the strength of the partner relationship therefore a firm is less likely to accept EDI sharing with its trading partners when that firm perceives a high degree of uncertainty in EDI technology. EDI Standardization EDI standardization refers to the distribution level of an industry wide EDI format. When Company exclusive (many different) EDI formats are more common in an industry, the EDI standardization in this industry is considered low. However, if the industry wide (standardized or similar) EDI formats are more common, the EDI standardization is high. The lack of EDI standardization is considered to be a major barrier towards the adoption of EDI. Firms with limited EDI knowledge can become confused with all of the different formats for EDI and be dissuaded from adopting EDI for their firm. Basically in industries where firms adopt their own EDI format other firms are less likely to accept EDI agreements because linking with these firms would require that firm to adopt more document formats. Perceived EDI Benefit EDI benefits have been discussed deeply in this paper, in literature, and just about every article or study ab...
