A systemic approach in modeling and analysis of interactions in virtual enterprises

Advances in computer networking technology and open system standards are making the creation and management of virtual enterprises feasible. A virtual enterprise is a temporary consortium of autonomous, diverse, and possibly geographically dispersed organizations that pool their resources to meet short-term objectives and exploit fast changing market trends. For a virtual enterprise to succeed, its processes must be automated, and its startup costs must be minimized. In this paper we develop a formal framework for modeling and reasoning about interactions in a virtual enterprise using the systemic methodology PSM (Problem Structuring Methodology). Furthermore, the framework we design and describe will be capable of justifying the future behavior of Virtual Enterprises and of supporting validated processes for the examination of their well working.