Collaborative networks: Human aspects and corresponding IT support

Industrial SME face new challenges in the global market as customers are requiring more complete solutions and reducing the number of their suppliers. Small SME can face these new challenges through cooperation within collaborative networks. Human aspects are fundamental in collaborative networks as people, and not organizations or IT systems cooperate. This paper addresses the major human aspects encountered in this form of organization such as trust issues, knowledge sharing, coordination and planning activities as well as communication and mutual understanding and their influence on the business processes and the corresponding supporting IT tools.