Planning for Inter-Organizational Information Systems in Practice.

Globally distributed production and high proportion of outsourcing have increased the need to orchestrate the key network participating to production of end-products. Information is driving the network operations and thus, significance of inter-organizational information systems supporting the cooperation is evident. In this study, the growing phenomenon of Planning for Inter-Organizational Information Systems (PIOS) is examined with multiple case study approach. Empirical evidence is collected from three large multinational manufacturing corporations and their IOS planning practices to identify critical planning characteristics perceived by practitioners. Results of a two-round evaluation are presented as well as general observations of companies' PIOS practices.