Collaborative Networked Organizations

The emerging paradigm of collaborative networked organizations (CNOs), or simply collaborative networks, represents a dynamic and multidisciplinary research and development area for which a number of research results are available from many international and national projects. A large number of practical application experiments and pilot cases also provide evidence on what works and what still remains as a challenge for CNOs. The fast evolution of information and communication technologies and in particular the so-called Internet technologies, also represents an important motivator for the emergence of new forms of collaboration. There is, however, an urgent need to start more consolidated and holistic research strategies to support proper developments in this area. This book includes a comprehensive set of recommendations from the multi-disciplines involved in CNOs, towards the establishment of a research agenda for emerging collaborative networks. These recommendations are the result of a 30-month initiative, the THINKcreative project, involving more than 250 experts and visionaries from academia, research, and industry. Collaborative Networked Organizations provides valuable elements for research strategy planners, decision-makers at research funding organizations, group leaders in research institutions, and heads of research departments in companies interested in research and innovative development activities in the area of e-business and collaborative networks. Furthermore, the book can also provide valuable direction to PhD advisors and PhD students to focus their research themes.

Collaborative Networked Organizations represent one of the most relevant organizational paradigms in industry and services. A large number of developments in recent years have turned Collaborative Networks into a pervasive phenomenon in all socio-economic sectors. The main aim of this book is to provide a comprehensive set of reference materials derived from the results of the ECOLEAD project in one organized volume. The ECOLEAD project, a large 4-year European initiative, involved 28 organizations (from academia, research and industry), from 14 countries (in Europe and Latin America). Three main types of results from ECOLEAD are presented: (i) Conceptual frameworks and models, (ii) Methods and processes, and (iii) Software tools and systems. Furthermore, the experience and lessons learned with a number of large pilot implementations in real-world running networks of enterprises are also included as an indication of the assessment/validation of the project results. Methods and Tools for Collaborative Networked Organizations provides valuable elements for researchers and practitioners involved in the design, implementation, and management of collaborative forms in industry and services.

A research agenda for collaborative networks Purpose. Many practical application experiments and pilot cases nowadays provide evidence on what works and what still remains as a challenge for collaborative networked organizations (CNOs). The fast evolution of the information and communication technologies and in particular the so-called Internet technologies, also represents an important motivator for the emergence of new forms of collaboration. However, most efforts in this area are highly fragmented, considering only some partial facets and not a holistic perspective that would be required. We are therefore at a point in which it is necessary to define much more consolidated and sustainable research strategies for a second phase of research and development in this area. This book addresses the main disciplines involved in CNOs. It further synthesizes the views and opinions expressed by a large number of visionaries from the main disciplines involved in CNOs, and offers a comprehensive set of recommendations for the establishment of a research agenda on collaborative networks. As recognized experts in their specific areas, different authors in this book have presented work that is backed by a large number of research results, each focusing on specific facets of collaborative networks, and coming out of a large number of international and national projects.

Collaborative Networks: Reference Modeling works to establish a theoretical foundation for Collaborative Networks. Particular emphasis is put on modeling multiple facets of collaborative networks and establishing a comprehensive modeling framework that captures and structures diverse perspectives of these complex entities. Further, this book introduces a contribution to the definition of reference models for Collaborative Networks. Collaborative Networks: Reference Modeling provides valuable elements for researchers, PhD students, engineers, managers, and leading practitioners interested in collaborative systems and networked society.

This practical guide shows how to facilitate collaboration among diverse individuals and organizations to navigate complexity and create change in our interconnected world. The social and environmental challenges we face today are not only complex, they are also systemic and structural and have no obvious solutions. They require diverse combinations of people, organizations, and sectors to coordinate actions and work together even when the way forward is unclear. Even so, collaborative efforts often fail because they attempt to navigate complexity with traditional strategic plans, created by hierarchies that ignore the way people naturally connect. By embracing a living-systems approach to organizing, impact networks bring people together to build relationships across boundaries; leverage the existing work, skills, and motivations of the group; and make progress amid unpredictable and ever-changing conditions. As a powerful and flexible organizing system that can span regions, organizations, and silos of all kinds, impact networks underlie some of the most impressive and large-scale efforts to create change across the globe. David Ehrlichman draws on his experience as a network builder; interviews with dozens of network leaders; and insights from the fields of network science, community building, and systems thinking to provide a clear process for creating and developing impact networks. Given the increasing complexity of our society and the issues we face, our ability to form, grow, and work through networks has never been more essential.

A research agenda for collaborative networks Purpose. Many practical application experiments and pilot cases nowadays provide evidence on what works and what still remains as a challenge for collaborative networked organizations (CNOs). The fast evolution of the information and communication technologies and in particular the so-called Internet technologies, also represents an important motivator for the emergence of new forms of collaboration. However, most efforts in this area are highly fragmented, considering only some partial facets and not a holistic perspective that would be required. We are therefore at a point in which it is necessary to define much more consolidated and sustainable research strategies for a second phase of research and development in this area. This book addresses the main disciplines involved in CNOs. It further synthesizes the views and opinions expressed by a large number of visionaries from the main disciplines involved in CNOs, and offers a comprehensive set of recommendations for the establishment of a research agenda on collaborative networks. As recognized experts in their specific areas, different authors in this book have presented work that is backed by a large number of research results, each focusing on specific facets of collaborative networks, and coming out of a large number of international and national projects.

Collaborative Communities show how companies can develop this profitable new business pattern of seamless alliances. Profitably satisfy customers' personal needs and wants. Generate revenue from each business building process that lets you quickly try, quickly learn, and quickly adapt. As cofounders of The Rhythm of Business, a think tank for the networked economy, Jeffery Shuman and Janice Twombly have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CIO Magazine, and Business Start-Ups, and provide expert advice and commentary on business start ups for a number of Web sites including altavista.com, campuscareercenter.com, and cio.com.

Presenting 17 tools developed through rigorous design science research, this book bridges the relevance gap within network management. In so doing, it proposes a novel system-framework and establishes a path towards a networks-as-practice view on inter-organizational relationships. The systems-framework builds on three institutionalized business practices: Networks-as-coordinated social systems, Networks-as-knowledge-creating platforms, and Networks-as-value-generating entities. Through these tools, Towards Relational Business Practices intends to propose a new managerial praxis and provoke new and improved frameworks and models for network management.