Creating E-clusters: a New Challenge for Supply Chain Management

The radical changes that are affecting world economy have highlighted new structures and ways of competing for firms and networks of firms. A possible and robust way to increase a firm's competitiveness and cope with globalisation challenges is to implement and act as firm clusters. The term cluster traditionally refers to an industrial model that bases its advantage on local proximity of the members. However, members of a cluster can be sometimes located worldwide, but linked through information and communication technologies (ICTs). Therefore, in this kind of context, the term e-cluster is used. This research aims to study the process that leads to the creation of an e-cluster. Two case studies of companies designing and implementing an e-clustering process are analysed through an action research approach. The e-clustering creation process includes three main steps: context analysis, the e-clustering operation, and assessment of results. The paper also analyses what the enablers are that foster the e-clustering process and their roles in the different steps of the process.