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Management of Business Networks (Introduction)

Management of Business Networks (Introduction)
type: Vorlesung (V) links:
semester: WS 16/17
lecturer: Christoph Flath
Prof.Dr. Christof Weinhardt
sws: 2
lv-no.: <a target="lvn" href="https://campus.studium.kit.edu/events/CyyrwU-CfEOk_xd1U_vgMQ">2540496</a>
Bibliography
  • Milgrom, P., Roberts, J., Economics, Organisation and Management. Prentice-Hall, 1992.
  • Shy, O., The Economics of Network Industries. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2001.
  • Bichler, M. The Future of e-Markets - Multi-Dimensional Market Mechanisms. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2001.
Content of teaching

The significant and lasting impact of web-based business-to-business (B2B) networks has just recently become apparent. The exploratory phase during the first Internet hype bred a variety of approaches which were often bold in business nature, yet simple and unfounded in system architecture. Only very few survived and proved sustainable. Nowadays web-based B2B networks are increasingly reappearing and even promoted by major traditional companies and governments. However, this new wave of networks is more mature and more powerful in functionality than their predecessors. As such they provide not only auction systems but also facilities for electronic negotiation. This implies a shift from price-focused to relationship-oriented trading. But what motivates this shift? Why do firms enter business networks? How can these networks be best supported by IT? The course intends to resolve these questions. Firstly, an introduction in organization theory will be given. Secondly, the problems of networks will be addressed. Thirdly, an analysis of how IT can alleviate those problems will be undertaken.

Annotation

This version of the MBN course does not include the case study in the second part of the lecture, so that it is worth less credits.

Workload

The total workload for this course is approximately 90 hours. For further information see German version.

Aim

The student

  • indentifes the coordination problems in a business network,
  • explains the theorie of strategic and operative management,
  • analyses case studies in logistics considering the organization theory and network analysis,
  • argues and constructs new solutions for the case studies by means of electronic tools.
Exam description

The assessment consists of a written exam (60 min) (according to §4(2), 1 of the examination regulation).