Claudia-Melania Chituc

Interoperability in Collaborative Networks: Independent and industry-specific initiatives - The case of the footwear industry

The development of information and communication technologies and turbulent market conditions have forced enterprises to adapt their way of undertaking business, from traditional practices to e-business. In this context, achieving seamless interoperability among heterogeneous organizations becomes a critical issue. This article has two main objectives:(1)to present a review of the most relevant approaches aiming at achieving seamless interoperability in a collaborative networked environment. In this sense, major interoperability issues (e.g., interoperability requirements, technologies) are discussed, and the most significant independent (e.g., ebXML) and industry-specific initiatives (e.g., RosettaNet, papiNet, TexWeave) are analyzed; (2)to introduce a recently developed two-layered operational infrastructure aiming at attaining seamless interoperability in the footwear industry (the up-stream segment), based on the requirements identified for this sector in a recent industry survey conducted at European level. Other relevant initiatives targeting this sector are also analyzed, emphasizing the innovative aspects and advantages of this approach.

A framework proposal for seamless interoperability in a collaborative networked environment

The advances in information and communication technologies and economic factors impelled organizations to engage in new forms of collaboration, such as collaborative networks. They require adequate frameworks, architectures, tools and platforms to support interoperability among heterogeneous and geographically distributed organizations. Despite the high number of research projects in this area, existing tools and infrastructures, this objective has not been totally achieved. The aim of this research work is to advance the research in the area of interoperability in collaborative networks. A conceptual framework towards seamless interoperability in a collaborative-competitive economic networked environment is described, which comprises six elements: (1) a messaging service; (2) a collaboration profile/agreement definition and management service; (3) five clusters of collaborative activities; (4) a centralized repository; (5) a set of business documents and a set of contracting documents; (6) a performance assessment service. The functionality of the conceptual framework proposed is illustrated with a real implementation case targeting the footwear industry. The proposed conceptual framework is then compared with relevant e-business frameworks.

The Join/Leave/Remain (JLR) decision in collaborative networked organizations

Collaborative networked organizations (CNOs) are a powerful mechanism to achieve competitiveness in todays turbulent market conditions. The aim of the work reported in this article is to contribute towards CNO formal modeling and performance analysis from an economic perspective. A recently developed, combined three-dimensional approach for CNO performance assessment, based on the key metrics of cost, payoff and agility is presented, with emphasis on the Join/Leave/Remain (JLR) problem which has been defined in this project.

Multi-Perspective Challenges on Collaborative Networks Business Environments

New forms of collaboration emerged as response to transformations of the business environment and the rapid information and communication technologies developments. In this context, collaborative networks rise as a powerful mechanism to achieve strategic objectives in a time response, quality and cost effective manner. The aim of this paper is to present the most relevant challenges concerning collaborative networks paradigm analysis, and to advance a multi-perspective approach on collaborative networks (technological, semantic, social and business perspective), emphasizing the importance of the business view that allows collaborative networks to be regarded as combinations of inter- and intra-enterprise business processes. Balance Scorecard is seen as a powerful tool which can guarantee the strategic and business goal alignment within the network.

Collaborative business frameworks comparison, analysis and selection: an analytic perspective

Several e-business frameworks are currently available, which are aimed at modelling e-business. The aim of this article is to analyse and compare relevant industry-neutral and industry-specific e-business frameworks currently in use, emphasising their strengths and weaknesses towards seamless interoperability in a collaborative networked environment. Their main differences and similarities are underlined based on an analytical model for e-business frameworks comparison. The applicability of the Analytic Hierarchy Process multi-criteria method in e-business frameworks selection is discussed. These analytical approaches are then illustrated with two real cases from industry.

Towards the Creation of a Digital Business Ecosystem for the Shoe Manufacturing Domain

The digital business ecosystem paradigm emerged worldwide as an approach supporting the adoption and development of interoperable infrastructures among SMEs, supporting them to achieve their goals efficiently. The aim of this article is to present a novel three-layered approach towards the creation of a digital business ecosystem for the shoe manufacturing domain, following ebXML scenario and framework, and using open-source software. Relevant related works are also discussed, emphasizing the innovative aspects and advantages of this novel approach.

Interoperability in Collaborative Networks: An Innovative Approach for the Shoe Up-Stream Business Segment

The development of information and communication technologies determined enterprises to adapt their way of undertaking business, from traditional practices to e-business. In this context, achieving seamless interoperability among heterogeneous entities becomes a critical issue.

Towards assessing performance in service computing

Enterprises increasingly choose to focus on core competences and often outsource different services in order to achieve set goals. Although extensive research and development work is pursued on service computing, the main focus is on technical aspects. Business and economic issues in the context of service computing receive little attention. The scope of this article is to present preliminary results of an on-going research project aiming at advancing research in the area of economic performance assessment in service computing by developing a conceptual framework and metrics useful for economic performance analysis. Issues addressed in this article pertain to synthesize and discuss economic theories and approaches relevant for modeling and assessing the economic performance in service computing (e.g., game theory, graph theory, transaction cost economics, decision theory), emphasizing their strengths and weaknesses. Research challenges are then briefly discussed.

Towards Seamless Interoperability in Collaborative Networks

The goal of achieving full interoperability is still not achieved, despite the high number of tools and infrastructures developed. The objective of this article is to present a framework aiming at supporting seamless interoperability in a business collaborative networked environment. An implementation example from the footwear sector validating the framework proposed is also described.

E-business and Collaborative Networks: A service-oriented ICT platform for the footwear industry

E-business has emerged as a key enabler for information integration and interoperability in collaborative networks. This paper presents a service-oriented approach towards creating an ICT platform for the footwear industry, which has been tested for specific business scenarios and answers industry requirements. Other related works are discussed and analyzed, emphasizing the innovative aspects and advantages of this initiative.