IT to support cooperation in supply-chain management strategies

In this paper we report on an European project concerning the analysis of the communication, social and technological obstacles to the implementation of effective Supply Chain Management strategies in Small and Mediumsized Enterprises. We focus on the Italian experience, and in particular on the two districts in Sicily involved in the project: the marble industry and the clothing industry. The introduction of IT in enterprises has huge potentials for facilitating the activation of the communication processes and new ways of cooperation and work required by SCM strategies. However the social context, strong relationships between entrepreneurs and a real collaborative approach between companies, suppliers, sub-contractors are fundamental for successful actions.