InformationWeek

n the Information Sharing & Collaboration study, InformationWeek Research explores the advantages of collaborating with customers, suppliers, and business partners in electronic-supply chains. The study builds on InformationWeek Research's multiyear E-business tracking study, designed to spotlight trends and gauge the degree of collaboration with customers, suppliers, and business partners in five key industries in the networked economy.

The study was conducted by telephone in April and May with 375 IT managers drawn from InformationWeek subscribers. The managers were chosen for the study based on personal involvement in the planning, development, or management of any of their company's E-business applications.

They come from one of five industries that span both early and late adopters of IT-driven business: non-computer manufacturing; information technology, including hardware, software, and services; financial, including banking, insurance, and financial services; health care; and retail and travel. The sample was further segmented by revenue: less than $100 million; $100 million to less than $1 billion; and $1 billion and above.

In analyzing the data, InformationWeek found that there's a segment of companies with a higher degree of collaboration and information sharing than others, and they're reaping the benefits. These highly collaborative companies make it a standard practice to collaborate with customers, suppliers, or business partners in two or more of the following ways: information sharing, early product development, application development, and customized solutions.

Nearly three out of five of the 375 companies surveyed met the criteria of a highly collaborative organization. Highly collaborative companies find that collaboration is more likely to increase customer satisfaction, raise revenue, cut costs, and lead to higher profit margins.

The Information Sharing & Collaboration study is a comprehensive analysis of the survey's results. For more about the advantages of collaboration in electronic supply chains, go to informationweekresearch.com.