Modular architecture framework for cross-organizational electronic interaction 55 Modular architecture framework for cross-organizational electronic interaction

Nowadays governmental authorities as well as companies have to manage a rising number of dynamic inter-organizational business relationships, calling for means that allow for their efficient and effective management (Hagel & Singer, 2008). Gartner Research emphasizes the increased relevance of information technology (IT) in this context: “We expect that by 2011, midsizeand large companies will have at least doubled the number of multienterprise integration and interoperability projects they're managing and will be spending at least 50% more on B2B projects, compared with 2006. We also believe that, from 2008 to 2013, multienterprise traffic will at least triple.”(Lheureux & Malinverno, 2008)