Virtual Enterprise Networks in Europe

Economic Opportunities and Legal Challenges

Wissenschaftlicher Aufsatz , 2005 , 23 Seiten

BWL - Wirtschaftspolitik

Virtual enterprises (VEs) are a result of e-business which emerged as a reaction to fast evolving market trends. We discuss organizational as well as legal implications. These are of importance for a proper functioning of this new form of business partnership.
This paper will show the needs for virtual enterprising and obstacles to the future development of which the issue of trust is one of the most important. Especially consumers’ trust could be enhanced by a clear regulation of VE’s liability which has so far not been covered in the literature. We will therefore present several models on possible liability rules and a concept which meets the requirements of providing adequate economic incentives for the participating companies and being easy to handle by consumers as a policy recommendation for future harmonization of Member States’ National Law.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Virtual Enterprise defined
• Drivers of virtuality
  • Meeting global challenges.
  • Changing market demand.
• Obstacles to virtual enterprising
  • The market entry point
  • The issue of trust
  • Accounting for opportunistic behaviour.
  • Information Infrastructure.
  • Open legal questions........
• Models of liability
  • The problem....
  • The analytical model's setup...\n
  • Liability of the Virtual Enterprise only
  • Liability of the leading company only.....
  • Liability of all network companies ..........\n
• Proposal of a hybrid liability model
• Conclusion.

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper explores the organizational and legal implications of virtual enterprises (VEs) in the context of e-business. It highlights the need for virtual enterprising and the obstacles hindering its development, particularly the issue of trust. The paper focuses on the lack of clear liability rules for VEs and proposes several models for addressing this issue. It aims to provide policy recommendations for harmonizing Member States' National Law to enhance consumer trust and create a more favorable environment for VEs.

• The emergence of virtual enterprises as a response to evolving market trends.
• Obstacles to virtual enterprising, including trust and legal uncertainties.
• The need for clear liability rules to enhance consumer trust and economic incentives.
• The development of various models for VE liability.
• Policy recommendations for harmonizing national laws to support the growth of VEs.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter provides a general overview of e-commerce and its impact on business models, emphasizing the rise of virtual enterprises as a new form of inter-company collaboration. It highlights the importance of addressing legal and organizational challenges to facilitate the development of VEs, especially in the context of the European Union.
• Virtual Enterprise defined: This chapter defines virtual enterprises as temporary alliances of independent companies that collaborate to share resources and expertise. It emphasizes the role of information technology in facilitating communication and coordination within these networks, distinguishing them from traditional partnerships.
• Drivers of virtuality: This chapter explores the key factors driving the emergence of VEs, including the need to respond to global challenges and changing market demands. It examines how VEs provide flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic business environment.
• Obstacles to virtual enterprising: This chapter outlines the challenges faced by VEs, focusing on issues related to market entry, trust, information infrastructure, and legal ambiguities. It underscores the importance of overcoming these hurdles to unlock the full potential of VEs.
• Models of liability: This chapter analyzes different models of liability for VEs, considering the perspectives of the customer, participating companies, and the overall economic incentives. It examines various scenarios, including sole liability of the VE, sole liability of the leading company, and shared liability among all network companies.
• Proposal of a hybrid liability model: This chapter presents a proposed hybrid liability model that aims to balance the needs of consumers, participating companies, and the overall economic environment. It seeks to create a framework that is both equitable and conducive to the growth of VEs.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The core concepts of this paper revolve around virtual enterprise networks, e-business, legal challenges, liability models, trust, economic opportunities, and harmonization of national laws. The paper delves into the complex interplay between legal frameworks, organizational structures, and market dynamics in the context of virtual enterprises. It aims to provide insights into the critical aspects of building a thriving ecosystem for VEs, particularly in the European Union.

• Hochschule: Universität Wien
• Autor: DDr. Jürgen Noll (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2005
• Seiten: 23
• Katalognummer: V118908
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640216314
• ISBN (Buch): 9783640216369
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: Virtual, Enterprise, Networks, Europe