Interorganizational Systems Research Articles

Interorganizational systems withouthierarchy: immunizationinformation systems.

The 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic spurred change across multiple healthcare industries. This study explores how managing vaccination data in the United States of America required cooperation among many different organizations necessitated by an emergency response. We studied how individual states interacted with the federal government to address the need for vaccination-related information during the pandemic. In total, 11 interviews were conducted with individuals responsible for collecting vaccination data and reporting it to the US Federal Government. Seven of those individuals were directors of USA jurisdictional Immunization Information Systems (IIS). Archival data were also combined with the interview responses to inform the analysis and development of guidelines. States across the USA had different ways of tracking and storing immunization data that was heavily influenced by state-level and federal legislation. The lack of a universal patient identifier made cross-state patient identification difficult. Federal requirements for reporting dictated much of how the different state-level entities collected, stored and reported data. This study highlights the importance of data interoperability and data sharing by exploring how a loosely coupled set of entities without direct top-down control or a profit motive can govern data effectively. Our analysis provides greater clarity about the interactions between different stakeholders in a complex system. This study presents primary interviews of 11 individuals, each responsible for tracking and reporting immunization information. Analysis of the data expands existing research on IIS on data sharing, system interoperability and dynamic pandemic responses.

Resilience in inter-organizational networks of red buses: dealing with their daily disruptions in critical infrastructures

This research aims to determine how the inter-organizational (supply) system that serves and oversees the critical infrastructures might lessen the negative effects of routine interruptions. Furthermore, this research aims to gain insight into the types of disruptions that Red Buses experience and their strategies to manage them. The subject matter of this discourse pertains to the domains of science, numbers, and statistics. This research employs a quantitative research methodology to examine the effects of routine disruptions on inter-organizational systems and to evaluate the corresponding hypotheses. The individuals involved in this investigation work and operate the Red Bus Service in Karachi. By random sampling, a sample of 152 workers and drivers was selected from the Red Bus Service in Karachi. Data was collected from both electronic and non-electronic sources. Data was collected using Google Forms distributed via various internet channels such as WhatsApp and email addresses. Data was analyzed by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM); we used SmartPLS 4 software for that. The finding shows that disturbance co-occurrence has a negative relationship with CI resilience to focal disruption, a positive relationship with non-routineness, and a negative relationship with economic performance.

Research on the impact of blockchain technology on supply chain performance: The intermediary role of supply chain coordination and transparency in the blockchain industry

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact that the implementation of blockchain technology has on supply chain management by analysing the mediating effects of supply chain coordination, transparency, inter-organisational systems, and management capabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The primary data were obtained by the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire, and the replies were evaluated using a Likert scale with five points. This study collected 300 valid questionnaires from December 2023 to March 2024. SPSS was used for data analysis, and PLS-SEM was used for structural equation modeling analysis. Findings – Specifically, the findings of this research point to the existence of a statistically significant positive association between blockchain adoption (BCA), supply chain management capabilities (SCMC), inter-organisational systems (IOS), and supply chain performance (SCP). Mediation analysis highlights the critical role of supply chain coordination (SCC) and transparency (SCT) in enhancing SCP through BCA. Originality/value -- This research makes a significant contribution to the body of knowledge concerning the implications of blockchain technology for supply chain management, offering practical implications for industry stakeholders and policymakers.

Analysing the performance of a health innovation ecosystem in the COVID-19 crisis: complexity and chaos theory perspective

BackgroundThis research delves into the complexity management of collaborative networks and interorganizational systems in the health innovation ecosystem on the basis of a best practice in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. The objective is to offer specific solutions and guidelines to stakeholders in the health innovation ecosystem to control the chaos resulting from unexpected events along the ecosystem development and evolution path.MethodsFor this purpose, the performance of the Health Innovation Ecosystem in Iran (the Every Home is a Health Base plan) has been examined through a detailed and in-depth analysis of events and actions taken using documents, reports and interviews with experts. The practical application of chaos and complex adaptive system features (adaptation, time horizons, edge of chaos, sensitivity to initial conditions, state space and strange attractors) is introduced to identify and manage the transition from a state where the health innovation ecosystem is on the edge of chaos and prone to failure. Data were collected through studying documents, reports and interviews with experts, and then analysed using qualitative content analysis techniques, open and axial coding and metaphors derived from complexity and chaos theories.ResultsThe findings indicate that to understand and embrace the complexity of the health innovation ecosystem throughout its development and evolution and manage and lead it through the edge of chaos towards successful interorganizational systems performance, it is necessary to use gap analysis to achieve consensus, establish a highly interactive governance structure with key stakeholders of the ecosystem, maintain flexibility to control bifurcations (butterfly effect), prevent transforming emergency solutions into standard routines and ensure the sustainability of the ecosystem against future threats by long-term financial security.ConclusionsThis research provides insights into the dynamics of complex health systems and offers strategies for promoting successful innovation through collaborative networks and interorganizational systems in the development and evolution of the health innovation ecosystem. By embracing complexity and chaos, healthcare professionals, policy-makers and researchers can collaboratively address complex challenges and improve outcomes in health network activities. The conclusion section provides guidelines for successfully managing the complexity of the ecosystem and offers suggestions for further research.

A Reliable Framework for Detection of Smart Contract Vulnerabilities for Enhancing Operability in Inter-Organizational Systems

Information and communication technology based inter-organizational systems enable companies to integrate information and conduct business electronically across different parts of the organization. For organizations embracing blockchain, smart contracts provide automation and operational efficiency for inter-organizational systems. Initially utilised for financial transactions, smart contract are extended beyond banking and deployed in wide number of organizations. Smart contracts are regarded as self-executing type of contract consisting of agreement’s terms embedded directly into the code which plays a vital role in operability for inter-organizational systems, however, smart contract vulnerabilities can arise due to programming errors, leading to security issues. The effects of smart contract vulnerabilities can be significant, including loss of funds, unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulation of data, and loss of trust in the application leading to catastrophic financial losses followed by legal implications for an organization based on blockchain technology. The goal of smart contracts exploiting vulnerabilities is to discover and eliminate potential security vulnerabilities in smart contract code prior to it being deployed. Detecting vulnerabilities in a timely manner helps to prevent financial losses, unauthorized access, and data manipulation. In order to provide a robust solution to detect vulnerabilities in smart contracts, the proposed methodology presents a novel approach for rapid detection of vulnerabilities by integrating genetic algorithm with isolation forest. Furthermore, enhancing smart contract vulnerability identification with higher accuracy and false-positive rate provides a reliable gateway for organizations to adopt blockchain.

Managing Strategic Tensions in the Development of Organizational Ecosystems

The paper explores the key strategic tensions in the development of organizational ecosystems as well as the applied responses. It presents a conceptual overview of the key tension areas faced by the coordinators of complex inter-organizational systems and the results of empirical case studies conducted in knowledge-intensive industrial clusters in Lithuania (in the fields of high-technologies, information and communications technology, medical innovations and wellness products, cinema and game industries, machinery production and tourism). The research presented in the paper identifies eight strategic tensions faced by the leaders responsible for the development of organizational ecosystems: (1) focused interventionism vs. self-organization; (2) hierarchy-based structures vs. network-based (eco)systems; (3) under-connectedness vs. over-connectedness; (4) central rules vs. emerging metanorms; (5) short-term vs. long-term orientation; (6) focus on elements vs. relationships in the system; (7) big wins vs. small wins; and (8) exploitation vs. exploration. Case studies and expert interviews with the coordinators of different industrial clusters revealed the diversity of adopted approaches. The more mature the social and industrial context of the industrial cluster is, the less pronounced are the strategic tensions, and there is less need for focused interventions. In cases where such interventions are needed, the leaders of ecosystems adopt one of the following approaches: (1) take a position on one of the extremes by seeking to leverage the situation; (2) adopt a trade-off approach by seeking a point of balance; (3) capitalize on both extremes at the same time. The adopted approach may vary from one strategic tension to another within the same organizational ecosystem.

Designing trust-enabling blockchain systems for the inter-organizational exchange of capacity

In times of rapid and unpredictable developments, companies experience significant volatility in capacity utilization. Virtual capacity exchange platforms help to mitigate this challenge by exchanging capacities with anonymous participants in market-like peer-to-peer networks. However, its efficiency is hindered by behavioral uncertainties, including a lack of inter-organizational trust in other participants. To leverage the potential of such exchange platforms, this paper reports on a Design Science Research project aiming to derive and validate design principles for establishing trust in inter-organizational capacity exchange in two design iterations. Using blockchain technology, we instantiate six design principles into an artifact and perform experimental evaluations to investigate their effect on perceived trust. Our paper contributes to research and practice by identifying and applying prescriptive design knowledge and advancing our understanding of how to design trust-enabling inter-organizational systems. The originality lies within the empirical investigation of how and why different design principle combinations can be established through blockchain technology as one of the promising approaches for establishing trust. In doing this, we also disclose future pathways for IS and blockchain researchers and practitioners.

Blockchain-based Execution of BPMN Choreographies with Multiple Instances

The recent growth of blockchain has opened the use of technology for supporting the creation of new kinds of trustable systems. Model-driven engineering methodologies have been conceived to facilitate the automatic generation and deployment of software applications starting from the definition and refinement of abstract specification. BPMN choreography diagrams permit the representation of inter-organisational systems from a high-level perspective, just focusing on message exchange. However, the usage of such models in a blockchain-based setting has been limited to scenarios in which parties are involved in single interactions. This aspect becomes significantly relevant when considering complex applications, and in particular those in the realm of the Internet of Things. In these cases, the multiplicity of parties and their actions is crucial and requires novel solutions. In this work, we propose a novel approach for modelling, refining, deploying, and executing a Choreography on the blockchain, taking into account those scenarios in which the model includes multiple-instances. In particular, the considered models are translated into smart contracts able to correctly manage multiplicity. To demonstrate the approach’s feasibility, we designed and presented a Smart Thermostat application, that is executed on the Polygon blockchain.

A system psychodynamic perspective on collaborative leadership in multiparty systems: learnings from a behavioral simulation

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of what collaborative leadership in interorganizational systems entails.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical basis consists of the dynamics observed during two behavioral simulations involving seven stakeholders with managers and professionals as participants, dealing with a complex regional development issue.FindingsThe authors describe what functions collaborative leadership in multiparty collaboration serve by discussing relevant literature and introducing a system psychodynamic perspective on leadership that focuses on the emerging dynamics between a leading party and other stakeholders. The relational dynamics between the leading party on the one hand and the other stakeholders on the other, are described and interpreted, taking the larger systemic context into account.Practical implicationsThe authors discuss some important group dynamics aspects that emerge in a multiparty context that can be used by participants in and facilitators of such complex systems in order to foster effective collaboration.Social implicationsMultiparty systems are set up to deal with some important societal challenges that require the integration of insights, resources and interests across several organizations and societal actors, therefore this study provides important insights into the complexity of collaborative leadership emergent in such contexts in which position power is lacking.Originality/valueThe study provides a qualitative, in depth analysis of the collaborative leadership as it emerges in a multiparty context simulated by an experiential learning context.

DEMAND-DRIVEN DESIGN STRATEGY FOR INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL CIRCULAR SYSTEM – THE VALORIZATION OF EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE IN BRAZIL

AbstractThe valorization of plastic wastes in the Circular Economy poses the challenge of developing inter-organizational systems. Concerning the implementation, the inter-organizational level consists of a set of companies from the same segment acting in different roles in the circular system. This research aims to demonstrate a structured method designed to develop a demand-driven inter-organizational closed-loop circular system for the valorization of packaging waste.The five-step method includes (i) Contextualization/problematization, (ii) Closed-loop system mapping, (iii) Closed-loop system consolidation, (iv) Building Commitment,(v) Pilot system implementation and operation. A real case illustrates the method. As the unit of analysis we have chosen the supply chain and reverse channels of expanded and extruded polystyrene packaging in Brazil. The project was developed from December 2021 to March 2022.The contribution to the literature is to validate the premises and to provide insight into the challenges of developing real circular economy closed loop systems. The practical contribution is to support the development of a recycling system of packaging in a developing country.

Value co-creation for digital innovation: An interorganizational boundary-spanning perspective

Despite the enthusiasm for engaging in interorganizational collaboration to enable digital product innovation, firms often face challenges in integrating knowledge across organizational boundaries. Our research examines how collaborating firms use Interorganizational Systems (IOS) tools and project coordinators to overcome knowledge boundaries in different types of ideation tasks. Drawing on boundary-spanning theory, we conceptualize IOS tools as boundary objects, project coordinators as boundary spanners, and the interdependence of ideation tasks as moderators of the impacts of boundary objects and spanners on knowledge integration. Our findings suggest that IOS tools help overcome syntax and semantic knowledge boundaries by transferring and sharing information when the interdependence of idea implementation tasks is high, and project coordinators help overcome pragmatic knowledge boundaries by building reciprocity of innovation participants when the interdependence of idea generation tasks is high. Our research contributes to value co-creation literature by developing a boundary-spanning mechanism to explain the roles of boundary objects and boundary spanners in overcoming different knowledge boundaries to enable digital product innovation at the inter-firm level.

Interorganizational Systems and Supply Chain Agility in Uncertain Environments: The Mediation Role of Supply Chain Collaboration

The economy is recovering in today’s postpandemic phase, but uncertainties such as supply chain disruptions remain a top risk. Environmental uncertainty creates the need for swift supply chain adjustments in response to these external changes. Supply chain agility (SCA) has been recognized as a key capability for firms working to achieve superior performance in uncertain business environments. SCA is challenging to achieve, however, because it requires the firm and its supply chain partners to collaborate closely yet flexibly across organizational boundaries. Considering interorganizational systems (IOS) have been widely deployed to establish digital connections across organizational boundaries, this study aims to explore to what extent and how IOS as boundary objects, characterized by standardization and adaptability, affect SCA under different levels of environmental uncertainty. This study provides guidance for information technology (IT) and business directors on how to achieve SCA through the design or implementation of IOS, provides guidance for business directors on how to invest more effectively to capture opportunities and deal with risks, and advises business and IT directors on how to respond appropriately to different levels of environmental uncertainty (e.g., IT directors should design adaptive IOS and business directors should invest in supply chain collaboration when environmental uncertainty is high).

Role of inter-organizational systems in driving tourism businesses forward in the post-COVID-19 new normal

PurposeThis study aims to explore how inter-organizational systems (IOSs) drive tourism businesses to a new normal based on the resource-based view through the supply chain of tourism and information and computer technology used in IOSs.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from the management of tourism businesses, and stratified sampling was used in the study. The authors selected 1,000 travel agencies as the study sample, mailed the research questionnaire to their managers and received 252 completed questionnaires. The authors analyzed the data using the partial least squares approach.FindingsIOS is seen as a transformational service mechanism that provides a dynamic support weapon for members of the tourism supply chain. Tourism businesses should look for suppliers providing comprehensive services through IOS, excellent quality tourism products and customized tourism products to enhance the competitiveness of tourism businesses in the new normal.Originality/valueThis study provides an industrial marketing research perspective on tourism businesses facing the challenges of the new normal. For tourism businesses, technological innovation allows for changes in the strategies and procedures for their transformation and improves the business model of tourism businesses in the new normal.

Inter-Organizational System Integration

Manufacturing firms have increasingly relied on inter-organizational systems (IOS) to facilitate inter-firm transactions and integration with suppliers. However, they frequently face various impediments, such as adversarial behaviours and misalignments, when trying to integrate with IOS (i.e., IOS integration or IT/IS integration). Based on the perspectives of mutual adaptation of technology and organization and socio-technical systems, this study develops two compromise constructs critical for IOS integration: inter-firm process compromise and technology compromise. These two compromise constructs, treated as neutral alignment, are proposed to affect the achievement of higher IOS integration. Based on 146 matched-pair samples, the findings demonstrate the importance of technology and inter-firm process compromises in achieving greater IOS integration, which, in turn, enables higher inter-firm dependence and operational performance. This research provides theoretical and practical implications that contribute to our understanding of the role of compromise in facilitating IOS integration. The implications should serve as an important basis for future research in examining IOS integration.

The Moderating Effect of Inter- Organization Systems on the Relationship between Supply Chain Relationship Management and Performance of Pharmaceutical Firms in Kenya

systems on the relationship between supply chain relationship management and performance of pharmaceutical firms in Kenya
 Methodology: This research adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of interest in this study were the 22 local pharmaceutical manufacturing and 149 importing firms that act as subsidiaries making a total of 171. The study sample was drawn from the list of 171 pharmaceutical firms, where various categories with the relevant information for the study were drawn. The study adopted a census sampling technique. The data was analyzed using SPSS 22 version by making use of multiple regressions analysis which helped to generate a weighted estimation equation (OLS) that was used to predict values for dependent variable from the values of the independent variable.
 Findings: The results showed that inter-organization systems significantly moderated the relationship between supply chain relationship management practices and organizational performance.
 Recommendations: Based on the study findings, it was recommended that management in pharmaceutical firms should integrate their systems with those of customers such as electronic inventory management, electronic customer feedback; integrate electronic sharing of market information among other IT systems. This is because the study confirmed that integration of IT systems by pharmaceutical companies would lead to improvement in terms of speed and quality services, waste elimination, increased inventory management, responsiveness, accuracy, customer feedback and reduced lead-times

The Role of Ecosystem Data Governance in Adoption of Data Platforms by Internet-of-Things Data Providers: Case of Dutch Horticulture Industry

Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices produce massive amounts of data, which are especially valuable when shared between businesses. However, adoption of platforms that facilitate IoT data sharing is still low. Generic literature on interorganizational systems suggests a plethora of adoption factors, but typically focuses on data sharing between pairs of organizations. In a context of ecosystems, data governance becomes important, but its relative importance as an adoption factor is yet unclear. In this article, we examine the perception of IoT data providers regarding the relative importance of ecosystem data governance as an adoption factor, in comparison with generic adoption factors. Our study is situated in the horticulture domain, where data sharing is potentially is highly valuable. We conduct a multicriteria decision-analysis survey using the best-worst method, complemented with interviews for interpreting findings. We find that businesses consider a large variety of factors equally important. Ecosystem data governance is in the middle-range, whereas factors like benefits and readiness are most important. At the same time, out of all adoption factors that platform providers can control directly, ecosystem data governance ranks among the highest. Our findings are important for informing data platform operators on what design issues to consider, in order to attract data owners.

The Influence of Inter-Organizational System Use and Supply Chain Capabilities on Supply Chain Performance

This study is explored the influencing factor that is pivotal in the supply chain. More explicitly, the main emphasize of this research was on IOS use and supply chain management capabilities, and supply chain performance. A quantitative approach was adopted for this study, and a multi-item measurement scale was adapted from previous studies; a structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Two hundred thirty-six responses were collected from supply chain employees in various textile sectors. Further, regression analysis was applied for hypothesis testing. The analysis of employees' responses collected from various firms reveals that the use of IOS increases the level of supply chain performance and directly enhances the capabilities of SCM. In addition, it was observed that the influence of SCM capabilities on supply chain performance was very insightful, influential, and even more significant than the impact of IOS use on SC performance. This research study can be helpful for supply chain managers and decision-makers. It gives them guidance for enhancing the supply chain resilience of an organization. It provides a framework containing Communication, Intelligence, Information exchange, Integration, Coordination, and Responsiveness to enhance supply chain performance.

The Dark Side of Technological Modularity: Opportunistic Information Hiding During Interorganizational System Adoption

To drive competitive advantage in today’s fast-paced and disruptive business environment, firms are increasingly investing in the modularization of their technology infrastructure. In a rapidly changing and interconnected business environment where flexibility is key, modularity is often hailed as a foundational pillar of information technology systems of the future. For networked firms, modularity has been traditionally viewed as unambiguously beneficial because it allows for closer alignment with partner firms and also mitigates risk by lowering partner switching costs. However, we find that in interfirm networks undergoing technology transitions in the form of adoption of new interorganizational systems such as blockchains, modularity can also engender additional risks. Specifically, the early stages of IOS adoption are characterized by information asymmetries, and we find that high levels of technological modularity can render firms more susceptible to opportunistic information withholding by network partners. Our findings run counter to the traditional view of modularity as a capability that can improve the efficiency of IOS adoption, or as a governance mechanism that reduces risks associated with IOS adoption. As optimism and investments toward modularity grow, by identifying associated risks, our work cautions managers to adopt a more qualified view of this capability during technological transitions.

Formation and presentation of information in the management accounting system in order to develop inter-organizational relations of agro-industrial complex organizations

The article provides a theoretical substantiation of the essence and content of inter-organizational relations in order to ensure inter-organizational cooperation of agricultural formations as an effective tool for maintaining the competitiveness of the domestic agricultural sector. The dynamic development of economic relations influenced the use of innovative technologies, caused the objective need for the introduction of new software solutions in the organization of the agro-industrial complex, including in relation to the system of economic security of inter-organizational cooperation. In order to promptly obtain the necessary data, form and present information in management accounting to optimize the inter-organizational relations of agribusiness organizations and make important management decisions, a mechanism is required that allows for the support of such decisions in a short time. Such a mechanism is an inter-organizational management accounting system in combination with a balanced scorecard, reporting, control system and other systems that ensure inter-organizational interaction. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the theoretical foundations of the formation and presentation of information in the framework of management accounting in order to develop inter-organizational relations of agricultural organizations.. Special attention is paid to the issues related to the elements of inter-organizational relations, the content of such relations.

Governance of inter-organizational systems: a longitudinal case study of Rotterdam’s Port Community System

An increasing use of inter-organizational systems, as Port Community System (PCS), can be observed in port collaborations. As multiple organizations often rely on PCS, even for business-critical processes, proper governance of these systems is crucial. This study aims to explain the governance of inter-organizational port collaborations using a lifecycles paradigm. The governance is explored using three points of view – i.e. governance mechanisms, governance aspects, and governance models – and by describing the actors’ roles in collaborations. A case study in the port of Rotterdam is analyzed to explain how these actors affect the governance models through the mechanisms to govern the aspects in each lifecycle stage. The port collaboration in Rotterdam has gone through three full governance lifecycles and has entered the fourth iteration after the set-up of Portbase. During the last two cycles, the collaboration has maintained its Network Administrative Organization governance model. This case study analysis of Rotterdam’s port collaboration provides an example of how a systematic approach could help to discuss and communicate the governance of inter-organizational port collaboration systems and gives some lessons learned for other collaborations.