Knowledge Networking: Creating the Collaborative Enterprise

Chapter 8

The interprisetoolkit

No enterprise is an island. It depends on the active support of customers, suppliers, employees and many other stakeholders for its continued success. Collaboration is inevitable. It is needed to bolster innovation and meet diverse needs. Collaboration with competitors is also frequently needed. Thus, many embryonic markets will remain small and fragmented until manufacturers agree common standards. Collaboration takes many forms such as supplier–customer partnerships, strategic alliances, informal co-operative marketing and, of course, virtual corporations.

What does it take to create a successful interprise – a collaborative venture comprising several enterprises? Who makes suitable partners? How can inter-enterprise ...