Collaborative Platforms for Supply Chain Integration: Trajectory, Assimilation of Platforms and Results

Abstract

The transparency provided by information technology (IT) allows companies to reposition themselves in the production chain and dynamically collaborate with other companies for the purpose of optimizing their business. Thus, based on this context, this study aims to analyze the trajectory of the use of collaborative platforms to integrate supply chains based on two cases depicting different aspects of implementing supply chain collaboration practices. According to examination of these cases, interesting lessons are derived regarding the suitability and criticality of the technological approach used to support collaboration, especially regarding the use of a centralized web platform. This study provides insights for managers related to using collaborative tools and reinforcing routes established for practices when seeking to improve integrative capability.