Critical factors in collaborative software development in supply chain management

It is widely accepted that coordination of planning, production, and delivery processes is more effective and efficient when done at supply chain level than at individual firm level. To make supply chain level coordination possible, companies need to exchange information timely and seamlessly. This requires tight integration of systems among supply chain entities. Collaborative Software Development (CSD) is critical for successful system development for supply chain coordination and management. Challenges derive from the need to integrate various heterogeneous systems, facilitate proper information exchange and communication, and define organisational control and management. This paper examines emerging issues and obstacles in CSD in SCM contexts.