Agile Service-Oriented E-Business in a Collaborative Networked Environment

Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to explore potential IT support for collaborative networked organizations encompassing both the service and network orientations of e-business environments. First, it is argued that the main reason for collaboration among organizations is the need for a competitive advantage, leading to the concept of Collaborative Networked Organization (CNO) proposed as an appropriate organizational structure supporting the collaboration of organizations. Then, the concept of Service-Oriented Virtual Organization Breeding Environment (SOVOBE) is presented as a means to support CNO creation and operations, while emphasizing both the network and service orientation of SOVOBEs. Next, a feedback loop encompassing adaptation, business processes, monitoring, and networks is proposed as a means to provide SOVOBE members with support for agile collaboration within CNOs. Finally, implementation concerns are discussed, with an introduction of the ErGo system supporting organizations willing to cooperate in an agile service-oriented manner in collaborative networked environments.