How ICT can facilitate trust inside networks of SME: The role of Professional Virtual Communities

If we examine the trends which are underlying the dynamics of inter-firm relationship, one can notice that trust is the permanent and stable key element to foster the implementation of cooperation. Due to market globalization and customized demands, business organizations and especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) are involved in cooperation processes which require more and more flexibility. One way to succeed is to improve the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to ease this adaptation. This paper aims to highlight the characteristics of trust building among partners inside networks of SME through ICT and has a specific focus on the concept of Professional Virtual Communities. PVC are considered as an emerging driving force integrating ICT as an enabler of trust inside networks of SME.