Standards support for the virtual enterprise

Recent developments in global commerce have witnessed the advent of the virtual enterprise. Groups of companies are forming short-term relationships to collaborate on one-off projects. Typically these enterprises form a consortium to bid for a project for which they do not have the capability of winning as individual concerns. In order that the virtual enterprise operates effectively the systems which underpin the separate enterprises must be capable of interoperation. One means of achieving this is by the adoption of suitable international approved standards. Addresses this issue by considering the requirements placed on standards activities for the support of virtual enterprises. Then proposes a means by which current standards can be classified and scoped within an overall framework. Considers the various approaches taken within these standards activities and proposes some strategies for future development.