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JCMC
1998

Coordination and Virtualization: The Role of Electronic Networks and Personal Relationships

13 years 3 months ago
Coordination and Virtualization: The Role of Electronic Networks and Personal Relationships
One view holds that organizations are virtual to the extent that they outsource key components of their production processes, and that electronic networks make it easier to do this. The goal of the present paper is to examine explicitly the effects that use of electronic networks for transactions with suppliers has on firms’ degree of virtualization. In so doing, we also highlight factors that influence the use of networks for coordination with suppliers, and the impact such use has on coordination success. Contrary to much recent speculation, the use of electronic networks for transactions was not associated with increased outsourcing, but rather with greater dependence on internal production. Moreover, the use of interpersonal relationships for coordination, which many think of as an alternative to electronic network use, was positively associated with greater network use. Surprisingly, use of electronic networks was negatively associated with such outcomes as order quality and ...
Robert E. Kraut, Charles Steinfield, Alice P. Chan
Added 22 Dec 2010
Updated 22 Dec 2010
Type Journal
Year 1998
Where JCMC
Authors Robert E. Kraut, Charles Steinfield, Alice P. Chan, Brian S. Butler, Anne Hoag
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