A metamodel for virtual enterprises

Abstract

Virtual enterprises are characterized by their dynamic nature and transient work arrangements. This in turn requires computer support systems that go beyond workflow systems to provide support for process emergence and transient team members in such enterprises. Such support systems must be based on a metamodel that is sufficiently powerful to describe virtual work arrangements and present an interface that allows users to quickly form teams, allocate responsibilities, and carry out joint work. The paper describes a metamodel, which provides a foundation for building systems to support virtual enterprises, and a prototype system that supports this model. It then describes the use of the prototype in a teaching environment.