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

Ilias P. Vlachos and Sandra Gutnik
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Ilias P. Vlachos: Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Sandra Gutnik: Mayr-Melnhof Packaging International, Vienna, Austria

International Journal of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management (IJISSCM), 2016, vol. 9, issue 1, 17-40

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.

Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:igg:jisscm:v:9:y:2016:i:1:p:17-40

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