Collaborative e-Marketplaces Containing Clusters of SMEs: Drivers and Barriers in the Local Food Sector

Abstract

This paper explores the current context of collaboration between small local food producers. The aim is to facilitate the design and maintenance of trustworthy collaborative e-marketplaces containing clusters of SMEs. An ethnographic approach was used and data was collected through observations, interviews and questionnaires. Our findings reveal both drivers to exploit and barriers to harness enabling trustworthy collaboration. Our current test bed is based on a research and design context that lacks mechanisms for governance. To take full advantage of the drivers and to tackle the barriers in a fruitful way, there is a need for a flexible infra-structure that allow for structured requirements, contractual agreements and validation of proposed collaboration services. To address this, we take advantage of recent developments in cloud computing, more specifically the integration of Platform as a Service (PaaS) in the support system.