A planning solution for virtual business relationships
| Date | 24 April 2009 |
| Published date | 24 April 2009 |
| Pages | 463-476 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02635570910948614 |
| Author | Rainer A. Sommer |
| Subject Matter | Economics,Information & knowledge management,Management science & operations |
A planning solution for virtual
business relationships
Rainer A. Sommer
School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to show that the planning-oriented reference model is a conceptual
approach that may provide a more complete alignment of strategic information, governance
constructs, as well as process and information flows in the development of virtual partnerships.
Design/methodology/approach – The research consists of a literature review along with
interviews and observations recorded from previous public/private sector engagements in virtual
planning and process change initiatives.
Findings – There are very few references that directly address the alignment of strategic plans,
governance, and processes within the context of a reusable reference model library. Hence, such an
approach may have merit in enhancing the body of knowledge associated with virtual business
planning efforts.
Practical implications – If narrative strategic planning and policy information can be aligned
and subsequently formally documented within a process-oriented reference model structure, the
resultant blueprint may be helpful in facilitating the rapid formation of virtual business
partnership.
Originality/value – In a global economy competitive advantage will increasingly depend on how
quickly organizations are able to reorganize in response to changing demand and market condition.
Hence, virtual relationships will play an important role in the competitive challenges of the
twenty-first century. The framework proposes the use of reusable, process-based planning libraries
that could reduce the time and complexity associated with the formation, maintenance, and dissolution
of virtual partnerships.
Keywords Process planning,Business process re-engineering,Modelling
Paper type Conceptual paper
Introduction
This paper addresses the planning, policy, and work-flow issues that must be
pre-engineered into business processes before a virtual relationship can exist between
potential manufacturing partners. The proposed reference model concept addresses
several critical planning issues that take into consideration organizational plans,
policies, business processes, and technical interfaces among potential partners . Hence,
this preliminary research is centered on two crucial themes:
(1) Develop a basic reference model concept that facilitates the rapid formation and
configuration (alignment) of organizational processes in response to an external
order that necessitates the formation of a virtual organization. This involves
linking the strategic and operational levels of all organizations that are included
in the virtual enterprise.
(2) Implement and validatethe planning-oriented referencemodel in a manufacturing
environmentby forming a virtual partnership with representative manufacturing
entities.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0263-5577.htm
Virtual business
relationships
463
Received 3 October 2008
Revised 25 November 2008
Accepted 2 December 2008
Industrial Management & Data
Systems
Vol. 109 No. 4, 2009
pp. 463-476
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0263-5577
DOI 10.1108/02635570910948614
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