Extended and virtual enterprises – similarities and differences

Abstract

In today’s global economy, manufacturing enterprises must be viewed in the context of their contribution to the total value chain. Extended or virtual enterprises, consisting of tele‐computing mediated chains of suppliers, manufacturers, assemblers, distributors and customers, compete to supply quasi‐customised products to discerning markets. This paper reviews the thinking behind the extended enterprise and virtual enterprise models of manufacturing systems, identifies the characteristics of each and the similarities and differences between them.

Citation

Browne, J. and Zhang, J. (1999), "Extended and virtual enterprises – similarities and differences", International Journal of Agile Management Systems, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 30-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/14654659910266691