Part of the challenge of knowing when or how to participate in distance education, e-business or other Internet phenomena is having a conceptual framework. A useful concept is to imagine an e-line. Organizations the operate above the e-line use different rules compared with traditional institutions.
Many institutions use information technology for efficiency and effectiveness.
However, to use IT for its innovation value, organizations must cross the e-line. This often entails rethinking goals, organizational structure, funding, technology and collaboration.