Information systems development within supply chain management

In order to improve effectiveness of supply chain management and compete in today's dynamic global markets, it is not sufficient to have effective integrated processes within a business; synchronized operations of all partners in the supply chain is required. In the past, this has been achieved by one company owning or having control over all businesses in the chain. Now, it is more likely that this integration is carried out by using interorganisational information systems. This paper analyses the development and role of interorganisational information systems within supply chain management. The Internet has improved interorganisational information systems capability and therefore is being adopted as a routine platform for information systems development. An evaluation of its use is carried out. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.