Combining visualisation techniques to understand co-operation in inter-organisational systems

Purpose To present an approach to support understanding of inter-organisational systems. Design/methodology/approach The approach combines two types of graphical snapshots of relevant properties of each organisation, based on concrete data. The first type of snapshot provides a bird’s eye view of the network that enables matching partners to form groups based on similarity. The second type of snapshot can be used to compare and contrast the information technology (IT) portfolio of partners to assess to which extent each portfolio is ready to meet the needs of the inter-organisational system. The approach has been applied in a case study that analysed e-customs, a large distributed system that connects the customs organisations of a number of member states of the European Union. We have validated our approach by showing the results to experts in the e-customs project, who confirmed our findings. Findings An approach based on quantifiable and non-quantifiable data that combines two visualisation techniques. The graphical snapshots obtained by applying our approach showed similarities and differences between countries that indicate opportunities and challenges in IT integration. Practical implications The approach provides a semi-automatic method to understand inter-organisational systems. If in need of successful cooperation in groups within an inter-organisational network, our approach will help the expert to ask the right questions. Value Understanding of inter-organisational systems is necessary, as cooperation in inter-organisational networks usually requires considerable up-front investments in IT specific for this cooperation.