ProcessWeb/sup TM/: Web-enabled process support for planning the formation of a virtual enterprise

Forming or participating in a virtual enterprise is considered an effective strategy to exploit market opportunities that cannot be pursued individually by the partnering organizations. In practice, however, virtual enterprise formation is quite complicated. There are no systematic methodologies or tools to assist decision-makers in: (a) planning and analyzing the formation of a virtual enterprise; and (b) selecting compatible partners/suppliers with the requisite core competencies. This paper presents ProcessWeb/sup TM/, a Web-based, process-enabled, decision support system that assists decision-makers in evaluating potential partnering and outsourcing options.