A computer-supported collaborative tool for continuous innovation

This paper introduces the virtual enterprise (VE) concept as an inter-company collaborative tool for continuous innovation. This kind of concept, based usually on the Internet and new advanced technologies, can be seen as the basis of a firm's information resources, the bridge between partners, the platform for knowledge management and the learning-oriented organization, as well as the powerful tool for promoting innovations. This paper presents the case VE, called SteelNet, which is based on the technological solution of agent-technology. The agent technology is still in the early stage of applications, but it seems to provide enormous opportunities in information integration, knowledge sharing and collaboration. The VE concept integrates physically dispersed individual companies and their customers to ensure that all the members of the network receive accurate information in a timely manner. The purpose of the VE, reported here, is to provide a new solution for an unpredicted opportunity. Therefore, the VE is more of an action, rather than an institution. The virtual enterprise is agile: quick to grasp the new opportunity and create the solution.