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""The Shek Kip Mei Myth"" provides a new explanation for the beginnings of Hong Kong's massive public housing program, tracing it to the colonial govenrment's inability to resolve the squatter problem due to constraints posed by the geopolitics of the early Cold War

In this introduction to some of the themes of this special issue on People and plans in urbanising China, I draw on Herbert Gans' prescient comments about the importance of informality in med- iating between plans and the various groups of people, users and planners, who shape their for- mation and implementation. Informality is even more important in the governance of cities in China. Comparing contemporary Chinese cities with Hong Kong, I suggest that informal responses, both in society and within government, can produce significant changes in plans that may increase the effectiveness or appropriateness of urban governance. Careful ethnographic research is required, however, in order to access the subtle and non-public nature of such inter- actions and their consequences. This commentary draws out some of the themes from articles included in this special issue, and highlights how informality intersects with plans and the people who create them and are influenced by them. ; Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council - Insight Grant

PurposeAlthough e‐procurement has been adopted in many industries, the business case for this technology has only partially been explored in the literature. This paper aims to investigate, through a case study approach, the extent of the business case developed for e‐procurement adoption in three implementations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs a case study method and examines three industrial firms through in‐depth interviews with managers involved in the projects. The cases were presented and explored individually, followed by identification of relevant drivers and problem factors.FindingsThe research identifies 18 drivers which can form the basis of a business case for e‐procurement. A further 17 problem factors are presented, which have the potential to militate the original case. It is apparent that the firms involved only developed a limited case for adoption and that there is a significant element of faith that the eventual results will justify the investment.Practical implicationsA framework of the business drivers for e‐procurement is introduced, in the form of a multi‐attribute hierarchy. This framework can assist managers to classify relevant issues in assessing and developing the case for e‐procurement adoption.Originality/valueWhilst the literature offers theoretical benefits for e‐procurement, the paper provides managers and researchers with empirical evidence of the drivers for this technology and of the problems encountered in implementation.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine how four large organisations have approached the implementation of new eBusiness mechanisms: namely online order processing, eProcurement, reverse auctions, and a private exchange. The objectives are to establish whether supply chain integration is an identified goal for the firms involved and to evaluate the extent of integration achieved through these projects.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach is used, with four separate cases being examined, leading to cross‐case analysis and conclusions. The primary form of data collection was interviews with managers participating in the implementations. In order to measure the degree of supply chain integration pertaining in the examples, two frameworks from the literature are used.FindingsIn three of the cases it is established that there is very little, or nil integration at supply chain level and only in one case is there evidence of a supply chain perspective contributing to the project. Three of the firms did not consider the supply chain implications of implementing their eBusiness applications.Research limitations/implicationsThe article builds on previous studies and illustrates the problems of achieving integration in the supply chain. Further research is needed to establish common attributes relating to supply chain integration.Practical implicationsThree of the projects examined here were based predominantly on a business case for the implementing firm only. Firms need to be aware that IT projects by their trading partners may have supply chain cost implications for their own business.Originality/valueWhilst much of the literature propounds the need for integration, leading to extension of the supply chain concept, firms are pursuing IT implementations which are premised solely on internal benefits. The research illustrates that, if the new eBusiness mechanisms are to support wider supply chain goals, then the focal firms involved must take a more holistic view of how and why such solutions are implemented.