Towards achieving agility in web-based virtual enterprises: a decision-centric approach
by Jitesh H. Panchal, Dirk Schaefer
International Journal of Internet Manufacturing and Services (IJIMS), Vol. 1, No. 1, 2007

Abstract: Virtual enterprises are groups of loosely connected companies, each providing certain core competencies and working collaboratively towards achieving a common objective. Agility of a web-based virtual enterprise refers to its capability to successfully and rapidly adapt to changes in its operating environment. Although agility has been addressed in the literature with regard to manufacturing processes and product requirements, design processes have not been leveraged to address agility in web-based virtual enterprises. In this paper, we present a strategy that involves (1) designing the design processes along with products, (2) flexibility in the interfaces between different parts of a virtual enterprise, (3) standardisation and (4) integrated modelling of processes associated with all elements of a value chain. We propose a domain independent decision-centric framework for modelling the value chain processes. It allows a variety of stakeholders to structure, organise and model processes using a common framework. It also balances the need for flexibility of interfaces and the standardisation of information from individual stakeholders, thereby providing adaptability to changes in the web-based virtual enterprise.

Online publication date: Tue, 10-Jul-2007

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Internet Manufacturing and Services (IJIMS):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com