Swords and plowshares: Information technology for collaborative advantage

Competitors who view information technology exclusively as a strategic weapon for competitive advantage risk missing a valuable opportunity: the use of information technology in conjunction with competitors for collaborative advantage. Collaborative advantage is defined as the benefit gained by a group of participants as the result of their cooperation rather than their competition. The development of a community health information network by seven competing hospitals in Dayton, Ohio illustrates how information technology can provide such an advantage. It also provides lessons for information systems and other managers who might consider such a use of information technology for their organization. Finally, it suggests further research on the subject.