Together We E-Export: Horizontal Cooperation Among Austrian Food Companies in Global Supply Chains and the Role of Electronic Business Tools

Ilias Vlachos, Sandra Gutnik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examined the horizontal collaboration of small and medium companies (SMEs) in export food supply chains facilitated by the use of electronic business tools. A multi-case study of three best-practice Austrian food SMEs examined the practices of horizontal collaboration in global supply chain management. Then, a survey of Austrian food SMEs assessed the horizontal collaboration facilitators and inhibitors. Findings demonstrate that e-business tools foster the creation of virtual alliances and help SMEs to increase export sales to new and/or niche foreign markets. SMEs have limited resources to overcome obstacles like cost restrictions to use advanced yet expensive e-business tools, managing food safety risks in global supply chains, and meet legal requirements of international trade.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17-40
JournalInternational Journal of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Together We E-Export: Horizontal Cooperation Among Austrian Food Companies in Global Supply Chains and the Role of Electronic Business Tools'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this