Encouraging SME eCollaboration - The Role of the Champion Facilitator

Abstract

Technology has done many things for small businesses. In one sense small business has been harmed through the advance of technology, which, from a competitive perspective, has made the world a much smaller place. To balance this, technology now provides the means for small busi- nesses to collaborate and build complementary skills to provide a better competitive standing in the world market. Electronically enhanced collaboration, or eCollaboration, allows firms to tran- scend the boundaries of space and time, permitting asynchronous communication and other In- formation Communication Technology (ICT) enablers. eCollaboration provides participants clear market advantages, not least among these is profit. Gains can also be realized in areas like knowl- edge management, increased customer service, optimized supply chains, and better inventory control. Participants from 70 Small businesses in Southern Sydney were interviewed, observed, and par- ticipated in focus groups. Data were collected and analyzed using NVivo and Grounded Theory; from this data an integrated model is developed which provides guidelines for optimum facilita- tion and management of eCollaboration. Two critical needs were developed - these were hard and soft needs; two value-add needs were found - these are marketing and feedback. By satisfy- ing these needs eCollaboration Champions - people or institutions who can facilitate, support, and guide collaborative relationships - can better ensure eCollaboration success.