Information Technology for Relational Business Ecosystems: A Case Study in the Brazilian Engineering Industry

Abstract

This article presents a framework to integrate effectively different information technologies in order to coordinate a relational business ecosystem, an innovative business model. The information technologies needed to create this new business environment are presented, as well as an integrated model based on a technology-service-process-production taxonomy. A case study addressing a major engineering company in Brazil, now playing the role of an integrator within a relational business ecosystem is presented in order to validate the proposed model. Some conclusions in this realm are presented addressing the main obstacles and hurdles to accomplish a relational business ecosystem as well as the solutions to overcome them, so as to make the findings and concerns applicable to other countries.