Organizational Learning as a Foundation of Electronic Commerce in the Network Organization

Models of organizational learning must be adapted to network enterprises, virtual enterprises, and other new organizational forms enabled by information technology. Since it is increasingly among these enterprises that e-commerce activity occurs, organizational learning is a requisite for reaping the benefits they offer and avoiding the pit falls. A model was developed and validated based on a case study of 14 small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) that belonged to a network of subcontracting firms for a large pivot-firm. In terms of network learning, the SMEs were classified either as advanced firms, intermediates, or beginners.