Abstract
The effective creation and management of business networks is more and more an important contribution for the competitiveness and sustainability of European SMEs. In Non-hierarchical networks SMEs join their competencies and resources to grab profitable business opportunities. In these networks SMEs take the leading role and control the business instead of being subcontracted by large companies and traditional supply chains. This paper presents a conceptual framework, including methodological approach, best practices and reference processes aiming at supporting SMEs in creating and managing non-hierarchical networks for complex products design and manufacturing. The framework high level structure and the most specific processes are presented, including: capacity management, collaborative operations planning, risk and event management and performance management. The framework was validated in three pilot networks, from the textile, footwear and machine tools industries. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Abstract
This chapter on business community (BC) management presents the BUILD module of the Net-Challenge methodology whose objective is to provide the conceptual background and methodological guidance for organizations that want to create and manage BCs (BC building) that are supported by advanced information and communication technology (ICT) tools. The extensive use of social networking applications is promoted, including the applications developed by the Net-Challenge project and existing standard tools, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. These BCs are business environments that comprise a significant number of organizations (mostly small-and medium-enterprises (SMEs)), where trust is developed between its members and communication mechanisms are established. For each phase of the BC lifecycle, the conceptual background, methods, guidelines, best practices and business processes are proposed to support organizations implementing the activities and initiatives necessary to ensure the desired performance. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Abstract
This chapter presents the innovative contribution for organization performance management in collaborative networks (CNs), developed and validated in the Net-Challenge European RTD project. The chapter first presents the context for strategy formulation and decision in CN and the type of strategic decision faced. Then, the chapter describes the Net-Challenge framework for performance management, starting with an overview, followed by the key concepts of key stakeholder and key success factor (KSF) and closing with the reference process. A preliminary application of this framework in a demonstrator CN in the garment industry showed the applicability of the methodology and usefulness of the process resources, particularly of the scenario templates, to simplify the setup steps of performance management process. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Abstract
This chapter introduces the basic understanding of an operational event in terms of identification, prioritization and a possible resolution plan. The chapter first reviews the existing literature on event monitoring and management (EMM) applicable in a collaborative business network. Then, it highlights the EMM from the perspectives of a networked business. Next, it discusses different types of events commonly available within a business network. Further, the chapter articulates the overview of business collaboration in a non-hierarchical network (NHN), and outlines the ontology-based approach for collaborative EMM. An example is illustrated, based on information and communication technology (ICT)-based phenomenon applicable for collaborative EMM. The basic outcomes of this research are discussed. The chapter closes with a discussion on future research directions. ©2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Abstract

Abstract
In order to stay competitive and avoid being smashed by large companies, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to establish and manage dynamic and non-hierarchical networks to respond to market opportunities, ensuring a quick response, unique products with competitive prices and high product quality. This article proposes an innovative methodological approach and ICT platform to support non-hierarchical collaboration between SMEs for customised product design and manufacturing. The ICT services are based on mapping a methodology on an open source platform in order to apply low cost solutions to SMEs. Two case studies in the fashion industry have been analysed and used to test the proposed approach for network management.