Title: Supporting the enterprise collaboration (EC) and enterprise interoperability (EI) solution benefits by end-user involvement

Authors: Iris Karvonen; Marco Conte

Addresses: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, P.O. Box 1000, 02044 VTT, Finland. ' ESoCE-Net, Associazione European Society of Concurrent Enterprising, Via Cortina d'Ampezzo, 164, 00135 Rome, Italy

Abstract: The paper focuses on creating the prerequisites for taking enterprise interoperability and collaboration solutions into use in supply chains, collaborative networks and business ecosystems. To achieve the expected business benefits, technical implementation is not sufficient; organisational activities are also needed. Software service usability, collaboration maturity, participatory development and a take-up process are seen as requirements for end-user success. The paper discusses the challenges of inter-organisational implementation from the end-user's viewpoint. The focus is on involving the end-users in the development, increasing solution usability and developing guidelines for the take-up process. The paper is based on the work and developments of the COIN project (EU FP7 ICT 216256, see http://www.coin-ip.eu/) from the viewpoint of COIN end-users, and it uses their experience and feedback.

Keywords: enterprise collaboration; enterprise interoperability; implementation; take-up; usability; guidelines; end user involvement; supply chains; collaborative networks; business ecosystems; software service usability; collaboration maturity; participatory development; end users.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2012.051153

International Journal of Product Development, 2012 Vol.17 No.1/2, pp.139 - 152

Accepted: 29 Aug 2012
Published online: 30 Dec 2014 *

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