ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the advent of enterprise application integration (EAI), middleware, and modern information and communication technologies (ICT) solutions resolved the gap between lagging infrastructure and the required rapid strategic change, as well as to speed up the time for business to take action on this strategy by enabling networks of enterprises. It describes enterprise networks, that is, the network of real enterprises which are enabled by inter-firm business processes that are in turn enabled by requisite ICT. The chapter deals with the networks of enterprise performance and characteristics that can be gainfully employed for enhanced performance of the enterprises. The design of the network of enterprises is an important aspect for any organization; the design impacts costs and customer service levels. Mobile communications, video games, and software are just three examples of businesses where network effects drive market competition and consumer behavior.
