Business Networking: Shaping Collaboration Between Enterprises

Osterle, Fleisch, and Alt's have crafted a comprehensive study about how enterprises can achieve "networkability" in their book, "Business Networking". The concept of "networkability" or the ability to establish efficient business relationships among internal and external resources is explored in four parts through the use of case studies and primary research culled from experiences in "Competence Centers". The highlight of the book for business managers is the section on Key Success Factors for Business Networking Systems - a section that builds upon the first three parts of the book and ties all the key lessons together. Moreover, it is here that the authors conclude that Business Networking relies on sophisticated IT and explains how a critical mass of partners facilitates networkability. Research data contained in the book is appropriately documented and there are plenty of schematics and tables to help solidify key points throughout the text. The book certainly succeeds as an academic text (and it may become required reading in some business school classes), but for more general audiences of business managers, the book plods along in certain sections explaining nuts and bolts - laying the groundwork - necessary to comprehend the key success factors.