<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: A Complete Overview of Virtual Organizations
Review: Many books and articles have been written about the intriguing puzzle of virtual organizations (VO). But many authors failed to deliver an integrated approach, too. Therefore, I have to congratulate Mr Franke twice. Het not only compiled a book surveying a broad range of aspects, but also revealed challenges from the managerial side. And the various authors, who put their expertise in this book, make this a guide through VOs and most crucially, more credible. There is no doubt, this is a highly recommandable book - particularly for managers and chief executives, who are boldly enough to take on the forthcoming challenges of the 21st century.
Rating: 
Summary: Writing the bible of VO's
Review: So far, most serious publications about 'virtual organizations' I came across are fragmented and theoretical. There seems to be a lot of talking and thinking about the subject but there is little experience and accomplished successes to report on. Under these circumstances, the editor of 'Managing Virtual Web Organizations in the 21st Century' did a remarkable job to introduce a converging conception of the virtual organization (VO) and include theoretical knowledge, practical solutions and recent experiences with VO's. The book contains 17 articles that elaborate on various issues ranging from the general conception of VO's to its legal format and from the business point of view to the underlying ICT-architecture. From the number of contributors and their various positions and geographical locations I might conclude that the undertaking of writing this book required a virtual organization itself. For many contributors this seems to be nothing new. In many articles it is stated that VO's have existed ever since people started to work together on the basis of trust. The new thing that the 21st century brings is the addition of ICT, which adds potentially more structure and scale to the VO. The book focuses largely on the design and management of such organizations. In most cases it takes the production and ebusiness environment as its object. Occasionally there is attention for web organizations in the professional services industries. For those who want to know on what the European Commission spent much of her billions for the 'Information Society' (IST-program), the book provides a number of references to relevant IST-projects. Some effort seems to be taken to make all articles fit into a general framework of the book, which could not prevent many contributors to start with a description of what they regard to be a virtual organization themselves. Happily for the editor, most contributors agree more or less on the underlying concept, which is remarkable, where-as the book lays out a quite specific and practical framework for this kind of organization. For its riches in issues and practical models the book is a useful source for professionals and decision makers that want to keep up to date with key concepts and developments regarding 'web organizations'. However, I don't think it is going to be 'The Bible of VO's'. Therefore it is too specific on some issues and not encompassing enough on others. On many issues the book provides insight and useful ideas, but overall it leaves the reader with a lot of critical thinking to do himself. It seems the editor does have a clear view on the basic concept he likes to introduce. On top of that he is gathering and analyzing additional data and models. Little doubt next time he will come out with his bible after all.
Rating:
Summary: Writing the bible of VO's
Review: So far, most serious publications about `virtual organizations' I came across are fragmented and theoretical. There seems to be a lot of talking and thinking about the subject but there is little experience and accomplished successes to report on. Under these circumstances, the editor of `Managing Virtual Web Organizations in the 21st Century' did a remarkable job to introduce a converging conception of the virtual organization (VO) and include theoretical knowledge, practical solutions and recent experiences with VO's. The book contains 17 articles that elaborate on various issues ranging from the general conception of VO's to its legal format and from the business point of view to the underlying ICT-architecture. From the number of contributors and their various positions and geographical locations I might conclude that the undertaking of writing this book required a virtual organization itself. For many contributors this seems to be nothing new. In many articles it is stated that VO's have existed ever since people started to work together on the basis of trust. The new thing that the 21st century brings is the addition of ICT, which adds potentially more structure and scale to the VO. The book focuses largely on the design and management of such organizations. In most cases it takes the production and ebusiness environment as its object. Occasionally there is attention for web organizations in the professional services industries. For those who want to know on what the European Commission spent much of her billions for the `Information Society' (IST-program), the book provides a number of references to relevant IST-projects. Some effort seems to be taken to make all articles fit into a general framework of the book, which could not prevent many contributors to start with a description of what they regard to be a virtual organization themselves. Happily for the editor, most contributors agree more or less on the underlying concept, which is remarkable, where-as the book lays out a quite specific and practical framework for this kind of organization. For its riches in issues and practical models the book is a useful source for professionals and decision makers that want to keep up to date with key concepts and developments regarding `web organizations'. However, I don't think it is going to be `The Bible of VO's'. Therefore it is too specific on some issues and not encompassing enough on others. On many issues the book provides insight and useful ideas, but overall it leaves the reader with a lot of critical thinking to do himself. It seems the editor does have a clear view on the basic concept he likes to introduce. On top of that he is gathering and analyzing additional data and models. Little doubt next time he will come out with his bible after all.
Rating:
Summary: ...life after the internet bubble...
Review: There are not many books dealing with virtual organisations and e-business after the internet bubble did burst! Did most writers models collapsed with the stock market? This book certainly shows that modern ICT is still an important issue leading, if applied in a coherent strategy, to a competitive advantage. It proves that the virtual organisation is an organisational form of the 21st century. This book is a must for people who are interested in strategy.
Rating:
Summary: An Impressive Collection of Work on Virtual Organisations
Review: This is an impressive book providing a thorough examination of the issues and trends of virtual web organisations. In an area that is new and fast changing, it is fantastic to see such a diverse collection of authors providing a depth of discussion of such quality. For anyone researching, working within, or simply interested in the management of Virtual Web Organisations, this book is a must.
Rating:
Summary: A Complete Overview of Virtual Organizations
Review: Ulrich Franke and his co-authors give a broad overview over the Management of the relatively new organizational form of virtual enterprises. For all business people who are interested in strategic management or involved in networked economy this book is essential. The topic is structured quite well and shows a collection of different views given by international experts in the field of virtual organisations.
Rating:
Summary: This book is a real stake in the ground
Review: Understanding the issues and challenges associated with virtual organisations is a subject area in its ascendancy. Whilst more structured ways of working (such as vertically integrated companies and long term supplier partnerships) will continue, virtual organisations will become an increasingly relevant feature in developed economies. This book provides an essential contribution to the subject area. It is useful to readers seeking to gain an academic perspective on the issues and to practitioners and industrialists seeking to deploy these new ways of operating in order to deliver competitive advantage. Hence I thoroughly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: This book is a real stake in the ground
Review: Understanding the issues and challenges associated with virtual organisations is a subject area in its ascendancy. Whilst more structured ways of working (such as vertically integrated companies and long term supplier partnerships) will continue, virtual organisations will become an increasingly relevant feature in developed economies. This book provides an essential contribution to the subject area. It is useful to readers seeking to gain an academic perspective on the issues and to practitioners and industrialists seeking to deploy these new ways of operating in order to deliver competitive advantage. Hence I thoroughly recommend it.
<< 1 >>
| 
