Title: Collaboration in agile networks: developing a Nordic model

Authors: Amol Gore; Pekka Kess

Addresses: European Commission Scholarship/EU, c/d France, Università Degli Studi Di Padova, DIMEG, Via Venezia 1, 35131 Padova, Italy. ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4610, FIN-90014, Finland

Abstract: The industries in the Northern European countries (Nordic) are promoting the so-called agile networks as a comprehensive response to the challenges posed by the business environment of unanticipated change. As the complexities grow in the global markets, the organisations have come under pressure to re-assess their business models and value systems within the dynamics of collaborative infrastructure. This paper examines the rationale of agile networks and attempts to build a specific Nordic model incorporating the issues of collaboration in such networks. The qualitative approach enabled particular insights, thereby utilising the practitioners| perspectives and synthesis of previous literature-based studies. The paper proposes the need for greater understanding of the strategic elements of collaboration in agile networks ahead of embracing a collaborative mindset.

Keywords: Nordic countries; Northern Europe; Denmark; Finland; Iceland; Norway; Sweden; agile networks; collaboration; business environments; unanticipated change; complexities; global markets; business models; value systems; collaborative infrastructures; qualitative approaches; practitioner perspectives; strategic elements; collaborative mindsets; responsiveness; agile systems; agile management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2011.043128

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2011 Vol.4 No.4, pp.379 - 393

Accepted: 06 Feb 2011
Published online: 17 Oct 2011 *

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