Abstract
In a global economy, organizations need to collaborate with other organizations because physical networks of suppliers and partners compete against one another rather than individual organizations. To enable more effective and efficient physical networks, organizations are using information and communications technologies (ICTs) to connect mutually dependent activities and tasks. Connected organizations may attain greater insight into the availability of critical resources, improved ability to respond quickly to events affecting the organization, and greater awareness of the variation between plans and actual results.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Dynamic Capabilities: The ability to integrate, build, and reconfigure internal and external competencies to address rapidly changing environments
Net-Enabled System (NES) and Net-Enhanced Organizations (NEO): Organizations that use the Internet to enhance and enable changes in business processes
Connectivity: The purposeful electronic integration of data, information, and/or computer-based business systems; real time access to and use of specific data and information (even knowledge) at multiple locations; and active manual and/or electronic sharing of data and information
Re-Engineering: Change to business processes and subsequent changes to associated employee roles and responsibilities
Partner Relationship: The quality of the working relationship between business partners in a network
Organizational Compatibility: Management and organizational support for a given initiative and the initiative’s fit, with an organization’s needs and intended direction
Net-Enabled Business Transformation (NBT): The conversion of all activities and communications to electronic exchanges, through redesigned processes and incentives, to enable tighter coordination with trading partners through IT
Information sharing: The capacity to share data and information
Information Use: The competency to access and use data and information
System Integration: The ability to integrate data, information, and/or systems to enable more visibility of a business