e-Business metrics are the subject of much investigation and debate. Managers want to know if their e-Business investments are generating returns aka e-Business return on investment (ROI). How does one measure and track e-Business returns?
The authors propose that the real value of e-Business investments is "in functionality interaction where one application enables the successful functionality in another application." e-Business metrics, therefore, should follow a framework that connects e-Business applications with upstream value chain activities. The framework results in three different types of metrics to evaluate e-Business strategic initiatives. This methodology provides a visual representation of the organization's e-business objectives.
Note: this is an academic paper so you will have to read 43 pages to understand something that could've been clearly articulated in 2.