********************* CALL FOR PAPERS *********************

SUBMISSION DUE DATE: December 30, 2010

SPECIAL ISSUE ON Non-hierarchical Business Networks

International Journal of Applied Logistics (IJAL)

Guest Editors:

Tobias Mettler, SAP Research CEC St. Gallen

Zongwei Luo, The University of Hong Kong

Marco Taisch, Politecnico di Milano

INTRODUCTION:

Traditional hierarchical manufacturing networks usually implement centralized strategies and control models, where some of the involved actors are forced to adapt to the constraints and purposes of dominant ones.

The application of this centralized model to Non-Hierarchical Business Networks (NHBN) results in many limitations and drawbacks, including substantial performance losses due to poor communication and coordination activities and reciprocal trust. Trust, along with suitable technologies, is also the basis of decentralized decision- making models that allow a joint management approach to critical issues and problems between customers and suppliers.

OBJECTIVE OF THE SPECIAL ISSUE:

NHBN aims to overcome these limitations by providing network-based relationships and coordination mechanisms among involved partners, aiming at realizing more harmonious and equitable peer-to-peer inter-enterprise relationships.

The guest editors of the Special Issue on Non-hierarchical Business Networks invite authors to submit original papers on the broad topic of Business Networking, with special attention on challenges and success factors of managing non-hierarchical networks. Papers may address the following topics (but are not restricted to):

RECOMMENDED TOPICS:

Topics to be discussed in this special issue include (but are not limited to) the following:

·       Performance measurement and management in NHBN

·       Demand Classification, product groups and ontologies for NHBN

·       Operational flexibility-agility in NHBN

·       NHBN resiliency and business continuity

·       Distributed decision making processes in NHBN

·       Security issues in NHBN

·       Technologies for cooperation in NHBN

·       Reference collaboration models for NHBN

·       Evaluation and assessment models for NHBN

·       Case studies on NHBN in specific industries

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit papers for this special theme issue on Non-hierarchical Business Networks on or before December 30, 2010. All submissions must be original and may not be under review by another publication. INTERESTED AUTHORS SHOULD CONSULT THE JOURNAL’S GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSIONS at http://new.igi-global.com/AuthorsEditors/AuthorEditorResources/JournalDevelopmentResources.aspx.   All submitted papers will be reviewed on a double-blind, peer review basis. Papers must follow APA style for reference citations.

ABOUT International Journal of Applied Logistics (IJAL):

The International Journal of Applied Logistics (IJAL) disseminates supply chain management and applied logistic theories, technology development, innovation, and transformation in various economy sectors upon current, advancing technological opportunities and market imperatives. This journal addresses latest academic research and industry practices on emerging enabling technologies including RFID, innovations in logistics and supply chain management, and transformations of a more efficient economy.

This journal is an official publication of the Information Resources Management Association

www.igi-global.com/ijal

Editor-in-Chief: Zongwei Luo

Published: Quarterly (both in Print and Electronic form)

PUBLISHER:

The IJAL is published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the “Information Science Reference” (formerly Idea Group Reference), “Medical Information Science Reference”, “Business Science Reference”, and “Engineering Science Reference” imprints. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit www.igi-global.com.

All submissions should be directed to the attention of:

Guest Editors: Tobias Mettler, Zongwei Luo, Marco Taisch

International Journal of Applied Logistics (IJAL)

E-mail: papers.ijal@gmail.com