《计算机网络》课程教学资源（学习资料）a review of MC literature

AVailableonlineatwww.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect Decision Support Systems ELSEVIER Decision Support Systems 43(2007)3-15 www.elseviercom/locate/dss A review for mobile commerce research and applications E. W.T. Ngai, A Gunasekaran Department of Management and Marketing. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Kowloon, Hong Kong. PR China b Department of Management, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300, US. Available online 11 July 2005 Abstract Although a large volume of literature is available on mobile commerce (m-commerce), the topic is still under development and offers potential opportunities for further research and applications. Since the subject is at the stage of development, a review of the literature on m-commerce with the objective of bringing to the fore the state-of-art in m-commerce research and applications will initiate further research on the growth of m-commerce technologies. This paper reviews the literature on m- commerce and applications using a suitable classification scheme to identify the gap between theory and practice and future research directions. The 149 m-commerce articles are classified and the results of these are presented based on a scheme that consists of five distinct categories: m-commerce theory and research, wireless network infrastructure, mobile middleware wireless user infrastructure, and m-commerce applications and cases. A comprehensive list of references is presented. We hope that the findings of this research will provide useful insights into the anatomy of m-commerce literature and be a good source for anyone who is interested in m-commerce. The paper also provides some future directions for research. C 2005 Elsevier B V. All rights reserved Keywords: Mobile commerce(m-commerce); Literature review; Framework; Future research 1. Introduction vanced and mature wireless and mobile technologies facilitate e-commerce conducted from a wired network There is no doubt that the use of wireless and to a wireless network. Mobile commerce(m-com- mobile networks and devices is growing. From the merce) can be viewed as a subset of e-commerce 1990s onwards, we have been witnessing a great [31, 66] and refers to"any transaction with monetary shift in methods of doing business with the emergence value that is conducted via a mobile network"[28] of the electronic commerce(e-commerce). Academics, When users conduct e-commerce such as e-banking or businesses, and even individuals have been focusing purchase products, they do not need to use a personal on this new way of conducting business online. Ad- computer system. Indeed, they can simply use some mobile handheld devices such as Personal Digital Corresponding author. Tel. +852 2766 7296: fax: +852 276 Assistants(PDA)and mobile phones to conduct vari- ous e-commerce activities. In the past, these mobile E-mail address: mswtngai@polyu. edu. hk(E. W.T. Ngai) devices or technologies were regarded as a kind 0167-9236/-see front matter o 2005 Elsevier B V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016j.ds.2005.05.003

= A review for mobile commerce research and applications E.W.T. Ngai a,*, A. Gunasekaran b a Department of Management and Marketing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China b Department of Management, University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300, USA Available online 11 July 2005 Abstract Although a large volume of literature is available on mobile commerce (m-commerce), the topic is still under development and offers potential opportunities for further research and applications. Since the subject is at the stage of development, a review of the literature on m-commerce with the objective of bringing to the fore the state-of-art in m-commerce research and applications will initiate further research on the growth of m-commerce technologies. This paper reviews the literature on m￾commerce and applications using a suitable classification scheme to identify the gap between theory and practice and future research directions. The 149 m-commerce articles are classified and the results of these are presented based on a scheme that consists of five distinct categories: m-commerce theory and research, wireless network infrastructure, mobile middleware, wireless user infrastructure, and m-commerce applications and cases. A comprehensive list of references is presented. We hope that the findings of this research will provide useful insights into the anatomy of m-commerce literature and be a good source for anyone who is interested in m-commerce. The paper also provides some future directions for research. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Mobile commerce (m-commerce); Literature review; Framework; Future research 1. Introduction There is no doubt that the use of wireless and mobile networks and devices is growing. From the 1990s onwards, we have been witnessing a great shift in methods of doing business with the emergence of the electronic commerce (e-commerce). Academics, businesses, and even individuals have been focusing on this new way of conducting business online. Ad￾vanced and mature wireless and mobile technologies facilitate e-commerce conducted from a wired network to a wireless network. Mobile commerce (m-com￾merce) can be viewed as a subset of e-commerce [31,66] and refers to bany transaction with monetary value that is conducted via a mobile networkQ [28]. When users conduct e-commerce such as e-banking or purchase products, they do not need to use a personal computer system. Indeed, they can simply use some mobile handheld devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) and mobile phones to conduct vari￾ous e-commerce activities. In the past, these mobile devices or technologies were regarded as a kind of 0167-9236/$ - see front matter D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.dss.2005.05.003 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +852 2766 7296; fax: +852 2765 0611. E-mail address: mswtngai@polyu.edu.hk (E.W.T. Ngai). Decision Support Systems 43 (2007) 3 – 15 www.elsevier.com/locate/dss

E. W.T. Ngai, 4. Gunasekaran / Decision Support Systems 43(2007)3-15 luxury for individuals. However, this situation has 2. Research methodology changed. The market for mobile technologies has seen significant growth in the past few years Considering the nature of the research on m-com- [61, 64, 142]. This is creating a new opportunity for merce, it would be difficult to group the literature the growth of m-commerce. According to a study under any specific disciplines. Further evidence of conducted by Datamonitor [33], global m-commerce this can be seen from the fact that m-commerce revenues will amount to $31.7 billion by 2005 articles are scattered across various journals in dis M-commerce is a technological frontier and is an ciplines such as business, management, marketing, attractive area for research because of its relative engineering, information technology (IT), and infor- novelty, rapid growth, and potential applications mation systems (IS). Consequently, various online [111]. M-commerce applications have two major journal databases shown in Table I were selected characteristics: mobility and broad reach. Mobility and searched to provide a comprehensive bibliogra implies portability, e.g., users can conduct business phy on m-commerce literature. The literature search real time via mobile devices. With m-commerce, was based on the descriptor, mobile commerce"or people can be reached at any time via a mobile "m-commerce. The search was also limited to peer- device. In this study, m-commerce refers to the reviewed journal articles. More than 340 articles conduct of commerce via wireless devices. In this were found in the initial search of the literature paper, we classify the literature on m-commerce The full text of each article was reviewed to elimi- research and present a comprehensive review of nate those articles that were not actually related to m- these studies. The review covers 149 journal articles commerce. Many of articles were excluded because published between 2000 and 2003. The reason for they did not meet the selection criteria, described selecting this time period is that the topic is fairly new and most of the research on m-commerce began to be conducted only during this period. The results Considering the nature of the research field, viz., as shown in Fig. 1, show an increasing volume of m m-commerce, and the importance of being current commerce research in a diverse range of areas. The in the field, we have only considered research paper is organized as follows: first, the research articles published from 2000 and up to the end of methodology used in the study is described; second, 2003 the criteria used for classifying the literature on m Conference papers, master's and doctoral disserta- commerce are presented; third, the m-commerce arti- tions, textbooks, and unpublished working papers cles are analysed and the classification results are were excluded, as academics and practitioners alike reported; and, finally, conclusions are presented and most often use journals to obtain information and the implications of the study are discussed disseminate their research findings. Hence, journals 80000000 2000 2008 Publication Yea Fig. 1. Distribution of articles by year

luxury for individuals. However, this situation has changed. The market for mobile technologies has seen significant growth in the past few years [61,64,142]. This is creating a new opportunity for the growth of m-commerce. According to a study conducted by Datamonitor [33], global m-commerce revenues will amount to $31.7 billion by 2005. M-commerce is a technological frontier and is an attractive area for research because of its relative novelty, rapid growth, and potential applications [111]. M-commerce applications have two major characteristics: mobility and broad reach. Mobility implies portability, e.g., users can conduct business real time via mobile devices. With m-commerce, people can be reached at any time via a mobile device. In this study, m-commerce refers to the conduct of commerce via wireless devices. In this paper, we classify the literature on m-commerce research and present a comprehensive review of these studies. The review covers 149 journal articles published between 2000 and 2003. The reason for selecting this time period is that the topic is fairly new and most of the research on m-commerce began to be conducted only during this period. The results, as shown in Fig. 1, show an increasing volume of m￾commerce research in a diverse range of areas. The paper is organized as follows: first, the research methodology used in the study is described; second, the criteria used for classifying the literature on m￾commerce are presented; third, the m-commerce arti￾cles are analysed and the classification results are reported; and, finally, conclusions are presented and the implications of the study are discussed. 2. Research methodology Considering the nature of the research on m-com￾merce, it would be difficult to group the literature under any specific disciplines. Further evidence of this can be seen from the fact that m-commerce articles are scattered across various journals in dis￾ciplines such as business, management, marketing, engineering, information technology (IT), and infor￾mation systems (IS). Consequently, various online journal databases shown in Table 1 were selected and searched to provide a comprehensive bibliogra￾phy on m-commerce literature. The literature search was based on the descriptor, bmobile commerceQ or bm-commerceQ. The search was also limited to peer￾reviewed journal articles. More than 340 articles were found in the initial search of the literature. The full text of each article was reviewed to elimi￾nate those articles that were not actually related to m￾commerce. Many of articles were excluded because they did not meet the selection criteria, described as follows: ! Considering the nature of the research field, viz., m-commerce, and the importance of being current in the field, we have only considered research articles published from 2000 and up to the end of 2003. ! Conference papers, master’s and doctoral disserta￾tions, textbooks, and unpublished working papers were excluded, as academics and practitioners alike most often use journals to obtain information and disseminate their research findings. Hence, journals 11 22 39 75 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 2000 2001 2002 2003 Publication Year Number of Articles Fig. 1. Distribution of articles by year. 4 E.W.T. Ngai, A. Gunasekaran / Decision Support Systems 43 (2007) 3–15

E.W.T. Ngai, A Gunasekaran /Decision Support Systems 43(2007)3-15 Table 1 and applications, as graphically depicted in Fig. 2 The selected online databases for the m-commerce literature search Although this search was not exhaustive, it serves as a abjects covered comprehensive platform for understanding m-com- abl/inForM database Business and management merce research cademic Search Premier Business. science. medicine and various subjects ACM Digital Library Computer science Business Source Premier Accounting, business, economics. 3. Classification of m-commerce literature Emerald Fulltext marketing, human resources, quality uality Fig. 2 depicts a graphical classification framework management, information for m-commerce articles. The framework is developed anagement, library and information ervices, training and education. based on[88, 137. Varshney and Vetter [137] pro- neral management, property, posed a four-level integrated framework for m-com- perations, production and economics, merce: m-commerce applications, wireless user engneering infrastructure. mobile middleware. and wireless IEEE Xplore Physics, engineering, computer work infrastructure. M-commerce applications require cIence the support of technology from the foundation of anagement, technical wireless user infrastructure. mobile middleware. and Business, computing, engineering. wireless network infrastructure [88]. In addition, ducation. science. social sciene corresponding theory and research activities are es- Kluwer Online ccounting, biotechnology, business sential to provide guidance for the development of m- and management, chemistry commerce. The classification framework recognizes computing, economics, education, ngineering, environmental science that m-commerce articles consist of five levels and d technology, life sciences, each of them is discussed as follows. mathematics, medicine and nursing, humanities, physics, and astronomy M-commerce theory and research: This is the low Science direct Chemistry and chemical engineering, clinical medicine est level of the framework. The articles included earth and planetary sciences, here describe the development of m-commerce nics, business and manageme applications and guidelines, behavioural issues science. environmental such as consumer behaviour, the acceptance of technology, and the diffusion of m-commerce appli science, mathematics, physics and cations and services. M-commerce economics omy, social Springer Link Online Business, sc strategy, and business models; and legal and ethical edical and social sciences issues such as privacy, regulations, and the legal Wiley InterScience ering environment when using m-commerce are includ medical and social sciences ed. Articles dealing with a general introduction to m-commerce, foundational concepts of m-com- represent the highest level of research, both in merce, and so forth were grouped under the heading width and breadth [95] m-commerce overview, context, and usage The criteria for exclusion further applied to the Wireless network infrastructure: This is one of the articles in journals if they were editorials, news pillar technologies of m-commerce that supports eports, and book reviews the development of m-commerce applications Wireless network infrastructure plays an important The search yielded 149 m-commerce articles from role in m-commerce as this is the core part of m- 73 journals. Each of the 149 articles was carefully commerce technology [124]. It provides wireless reviewed and classified into one of the five categories networks and network standards such as the global (1) wireless network infrastructure, (2) mobile mid System for Mobile Communication(GSM), Blue dleware, (3) wireless user infrastructure, (4)m-com- tooth, the wireless local area network (WLAN merce theory and research, and (5)m-commerce cases radio frequency identification(RFID), the Third

represent the highest level of research, both in width and breadth [95]. ! The criteria for exclusion further applied to the articles in journals if they were editorials, news reports, and book reviews. The search yielded 149 m-commerce articles from 73 journals. Each of the 149 articles was carefully reviewed and classified into one of the five categories: (1) wireless network infrastructure, (2) mobile mid￾dleware, (3) wireless user infrastructure, (4) m-com￾merce theory and research, and (5) m-commerce cases and applications, as graphically depicted in Fig. 2. Although this search was not exhaustive, it serves as a comprehensive platform for understanding m-com￾merce research. 3. Classification of m-commerce literature Fig. 2 depicts a graphical classification framework for m-commerce articles. The framework is developed based on [88,137]. Varshney and Vetter [137] pro￾posed a four-level integrated framework for m-com￾merce: m-commerce applications, wireless user infrastructure, mobile middleware, and wireless net￾work infrastructure. M-commerce applications require the support of technology from the foundation of wireless user infrastructure, mobile middleware, and wireless network infrastructure [88]. In addition, corresponding theory and research activities are es￾sential to provide guidance for the development of m￾commerce. The classification framework recognizes that m-commerce articles consist of five levels and each of them is discussed as follows: ! M-commerce theory and research: This is the low￾est level of the framework. The articles included here describe the development of m-commerce applications and guidelines, behavioural issues such as consumer behaviour, the acceptance of technology, and the diffusion of m-commerce appli￾cations and services. M-commerce economics, strategy, and business models; and legal and ethical issues such as privacy, regulations, and the legal environment when using m-commerce are includ￾ed. Articles dealing with a general introduction to m-commerce, foundational concepts of m-com￾merce, and so forth were grouped under the heading bm-commerce overview, context, and usageQ. ! Wireless network infrastructure: This is one of the pillar technologies of m-commerce that supports the development of m-commerce applications. Wireless network infrastructure plays an important role in m-commerce as this is the core part of m￾commerce technology [124]. It provides wireless networks and network standards such as the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Blue￾tooth, the wireless local area network (WLAN), radio frequency identification (RFID), the Third￾Table 1 The selected online databases for the m-commerce literature search Online database Subjects covered ABI/INFORM database Business and management Academic Search Premier Business, science, medicine, and various subjects ACM Digital Library Computer science Business Source Premier Accounting, business, economics, management Emerald Fulltext Marketing, human resources, quality management, information management, library and information services, training and education, general management, property, operations, production and economics, engineering IEEE Xplore Physics, engineering, computer science Inderscience Publishers Environmental, healthcare, management, technical Ingenta Journals Business, computing, engineering, education, science, social sciences Kluwer Online Accounting, biotechnology, business and management, chemistry, computing, economics, education, engineering, environmental science and technology, life sciences, mathematics, medicine and nursing, humanities, physics, and astronomy Science Direct Chemistry and chemical engineering, clinical medicine, computer science, earth and planetary sciences, economics, business and management science, environmental science and technology, life sciences, materials science, mathematics, physics and astronomy, social sciences Springer Link Online Libraries Business, science, engineering, medical and social sciences Wiley InterScience Business, science, engineering, medical and social sciences E.W.T. Ngai, A. Gunasekaran / Decision Support Systems 43 (2007) 3–15 5

E.W.T Ngai, 4. Gunasekaran / Decision Support Systems 43(2007)3-15 Cases Applications Mobile entertainment services and games Wireles Mobile middleware Infrastructure Infrastructure Management Mobile Security issues Mobile hand held ce Theory and Research Mobile commerce application development and guideline Mobile commerce behavior issues Mobile commerce economics, strategy, and business models Legal and ethical issues Mobile commerce overview, context and usage Fig. 2. Classification framework for m-commerce articles [86, 135 generation (3G)network, etc. Articles describing to support different m-commerce activities such as these wireless networks or network standards making payments and locating merchants [118] grouped under"Wireless and mobile network". In Agent technologies"can be found in publications order to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the about using software agents or mobile agents to m-commerce applications and services running in a support m-commerce activities, for example, carry mobile environment, it is necessary for various ing out negotiations [66, 102 and searching for networking requirements to be implemented in products [46]. " Database management" covers arti he wireless and mobile networks. "Networking cles on mobile database management. In a mobile requirements"cover articles on the wireless infra- environment, the query processing, database loca- structure requirements of m-commerce such as tion, and data recovery capabilities of a mobile location management, multicast support, network database system may not use the traditional method dependability, quality-of-service, and roaming to access information [118].Security issues across multiple networks [137 includes articles that discuss the security issues in Mobile middleware mobile middleware refers to m-commerce, for instance, designing a secure wire- the software layer between the wireless networks less network infrastructure for m-commerce appli- nd the operating systems of the mobile devices to cations using public key infrastructure or other connect the m-commerce applications [138]. Five techniques [26, 48, 117]. " Wireless and mobile com- research issues were identified for mobile middle munication systems" refers to some techniques ware based on [88, 118, 137. While the connection algorithm, methods, and components to connect time and data exchange for mobile devices are and manage m-commerce applications. In order to expensive, various agent technologies can be used communicate with the m-commerce applications or

generation (3G) network, etc. Articles describing these wireless networks or network standards are grouped under bWireless and mobile networkQ. In order to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the m-commerce applications and services running in a mobile environment, it is necessary for various networking requirements to be implemented in the wireless and mobile networks. bNetworking requirementsQ cover articles on the wireless infra￾structure requirements of m-commerce such as location management, multicast support, network dependability, quality-of-service, and roaming across multiple networks [137]. ! Mobile middleware: Mobile middleware refers to the software layer between the wireless networks and the operating systems of the mobile devices to connect the m-commerce applications [138]. Five research issues were identified for mobile middle￾ware based on [88,118,137]. While the connection time and data exchange for mobile devices are expensive, various agent technologies can be used to support different m-commerce activities such as making payments and locating merchants [118]. bAgent technologiesQ can be found in publications about using software agents or mobile agents to support m-commerce activities, for example, carry￾ing out negotiations [66,102] and searching for products [46]. bDatabase managementQ covers arti￾cles on mobile database management. In a mobile environment, the query processing, database loca￾tion, and data recovery capabilities of a mobile database system may not use the traditional method to access information [118]. bSecurity issuesQ includes articles that discuss the security issues in m-commerce, for instance, designing a secure wire￾less network infrastructure for m-commerce appli￾cations using public key infrastructure or other techniques [26,48,117]. bWireless and mobile com￾munication systemsQ refers to some techniques, algorithm, methods, and components to connect and manage m-commerce applications. In order to communicate with the m-commerce applications or Networking requirements Wireless and mobile network Mobile Commerce Theory and Research Mobile commerce application development and guideline Mobile commerce behavior issues Mobile commerce economics, strategy, and business models Legal and ethical issues Mobile commerce overview, context and usage Agent Technologies Database Management Security issues Wireless and mobile communication systems Wireless and mobile protocols Mobile Interfaces Mobile handheld device Wireless Network Infrastructure Mobile Middleware Wireless User Infrastructure Cases & Applications Location-based services Mobile advertising Mobile entertainment services and games Mobile financial applications Product locating and searching Wireless re-engineering MC in individual companies or industries or countries Mobile Commerce Fig. 2. Classification framework for m-commerce articles [86,135]. 6 E.W.T. Ngai, A. Gunasekaran / Decision Support Systems 43 (2007) 3–15

E.W.T. Ngai, A Gunasekaran /Decision Support Systems 43(2007)3-15 mobile devices, a standard set of protocols is nec- their subject. All of the articles were further analysed essary. Hence, "Wireless and mobile protocols covers articles that describe the protocols for m- commerce. Some common protocols for m-com-. The distribution of articles by year of publication merce include the wireless application protocol The distribution of articles by journal; and WAP)and i-Mode. The distribution of articles by subject. Wireless user infrastructure: Wireless user infra structure consists of two parts, i.e., software and hardware [88, 137]. Software refers to the operating 4. Results and analysis of the classifications systems and their interfaces while hardware means the mobile devices to communicate with the m- The articles were analysed by year of publication commerce applications, such as PDAs and mobile topic area, and journal. This particular analysis will phones. In this classified framework, two issues provide guidelines for pursuing rigorous research on relating to wireless user infrastructure were identi- m-commerce and on its applications by explaining the fied in this category. "Mobile interfaces"consists of chronological growth of m-commerce over the years, publications that discuss interface designs or issues challenging areas of m-commerce theory and applica- relating to the mobile applications or devices. A tions, and the major sources of information for di ell-designed and usable interface is relatively ferent elements of m-commerce. The details are ficult to achieve in a mobile environment be nted below cause the mobile applications normally execute on a small and portable mobile hand-held device 4.I. Distribution by year of publication [97, 129, 139]. Corresponding guidelines for design ing suitable mobile interfaces are necessary. Clear The distribution of articles published by year, from ly, the classification cluster, ""Mobile handheld 2000 to 2003, is shown in Fig. 1. Research output in devices"covers articles related to mobile devices. m-commerce increased significantly since 2000. The Mobile commerce applications and cases: m-com- number of published m-commerce articles doubled merce covers a wide range of applications. Varsh- each year ney and Vetter [137 identified several important classes of m-commerce applications including mo- 4.1.1. Distribution of articles by journal bile financial applications, mobile advertising, mo- In our result list. there were a total of 73 different bile inventory management, locating and shopping joumals from various disciplines(e.g, IS, IT, engi for products, proactive service management, wire- less re-engineering, mobile auctions or reverse Table 2 auctions. mobile entertainment services and Joumals with more three or more articles on m-commerce games, mobile offices, mobile distance education, Joumal and wireless data centres. They gave a detailed of articles explanation of each application. The classification Communications of the ACM framework proposed in this study is based on Intermational Journal of mobile Communications observations of the reviewed articles We have Mobile Networks and Applications Electronic Markets identified six different m-commerce applications Computer Is addressed by Varshney and Vetter [137. In Intemet Research: Electronic Networking 655 addition. we have included cases about m-com- Applications and Policy merce in individual companies, industries, or Info -The journal of policy, regulation and strategy4 countries in this category. for telecommunications Electronic Commerce Research and Applications IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Each of the 149 articles was reviewed and Cybernetics, Part A fied into five broad categories. The articles Intemational joumal of electronic commerce 333 divided into sub-categories based on the nature of Joumal of Database Management

mobile devices, a standard set of protocols is nec￾essary. Hence, bWireless and mobile protocolsQ covers articles that describe the protocols for m￾commerce. Some common protocols for m-com￾merce include the wireless application protocol (WAP) and i-Mode. ! Wireless user infrastructure: Wireless user infra￾structure consists of two parts, i.e., software and hardware [88,137]. Software refers to the operating systems and their interfaces while hardware means the mobile devices to communicate with the m￾commerce applications, such as PDAs and mobile phones. In this classified framework, two issues relating to wireless user infrastructure were identi￾fied in this category. bMobile interfacesQ consists of publications that discuss interface designs or issues relating to the mobile applications or devices. A well-designed and usable interface is relatively difficult to achieve in a mobile environment be￾cause the mobile applications normally execute on a small and portable mobile hand-held device [97,129,139]. Corresponding guidelines for design￾ing suitable mobile interfaces are necessary. Clear￾ly, the classification cluster, bMobile handheld devicesQ covers articles related to mobile devices. ! Mobile commerce applications and cases: m-com￾merce covers a wide range of applications. Varsh￾ney and Vetter [137] identified several important classes of m-commerce applications including mo￾bile financial applications, mobile advertising, mo￾bile inventory management, locating and shopping for products, proactive service management, wire￾less re-engineering, mobile auctions or reverse auctions, mobile entertainment services and games, mobile offices, mobile distance education, and wireless data centres. They gave a detailed explanation of each application. The classification framework proposed in this study is based on observations of the reviewed articles. We have identified six different m-commerce applications as addressed by Varshney and Vetter [137]. In addition, we have included cases about m-com￾merce in individual companies, industries, or countries in this category. Each of the 149 articles was reviewed and classi￾fied into five broad categories. The articles were divided into sub-categories based on the nature of their subject. All of the articles were further analysed by looking at: ! The distribution of articles by year of publication; ! The distribution of articles by journal; and ! The distribution of articles by subject. 4. Results and analysis of the classifications The articles were analysed by year of publication, topic area, and journal. This particular analysis will provide guidelines for pursuing rigorous research on m-commerce and on its applications by explaining the chronological growth of m-commerce over the years, challenging areas of m-commerce theory and applica￾tions, and the major sources of information for dif￾ferent elements of m-commerce. The details are presented below. 4.1. Distribution by year of publication The distribution of articles published by year, from 2000 to 2003, is shown in Fig. 1. Research output in m-commerce increased significantly since 2000. The number of published m-commerce articles doubled each year. 4.1.1. Distribution of articles by journal In our result list, there were a total of 73 different journals from various disciplines (e.g., IS, IT, engi￾Table 2 Journals with more three or more articles on m-commerce Journal Number of articles Communications of the ACM 17 International Journal of Mobile Communications 11 Mobile Networks and Applications 8 Electronic Markets 6 Computer 5 Internet Research: Electronic Networking Applications and Policy 5 Info – The journal of policy, regulation and strategy for telecommunications 4 Electronic Commerce Research and Applications 3 IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Part A 3 International Journal of Electronic Commerce 3 Journal of Database Management 3 E.W.T. Ngai, A. Gunasekaran / Decision Support Systems 43 (2007) 3–15 7