P2P Business Applications: Still Waiting for the Revolution?

Since the launch of Napster in June 1999, peer-to-peer (P2P) has become synonymous with file sharing applications that are the bane for the recording industry due to copyright infringements and revenue losses. P2P promised a revolution in business computing which has not arrived (DiSabatino 2000). Most P2P studies in the MIS area have focused on the file sharing P2P applications like Kaaza, etc. There is a need for MIS researchers to examine and suggest ways to promote practical P2P solutions for businesses. This paper brings forward the distinguishing characteristics of P2P applications with respect to the Internet and ecommerce and argues that if the purist rhetoric in P2P application of complete decentralization is abandoned, P2P can be effectively used to develop practical business applications. It also points to certain issues that need to be considered when developing and implementing P2P applications and outlines three levels of progressing complexity at which P2P applications can exist.