A virtual enterprise based information system architecture for the tourism industry

As information and information systems become increasingly valuable and information technology advances at a fast pace, only creative and innovative companies will be able to survive the competition in the new millennium, by utilising the emerging information technologies and innovative management methods. We propose an Integrative Information Architecture (IIA), which provides a dynamic, flexible and innovative strategic and tactical management to the integration of business management systems by using the conceptual model of virtual enterprise (VE). In general, VE provides a comprehensive guide to the key elements of successful cross-organisational integration and collaborative e-commerce by highlighting business needs, information technologies, and management strategies. In our study, the application of VE is for integrating employees, business process and resources within the tourism industry. We also explored the potentials of applying IIA to contemporary tour companies for developing the cross-organisational tourism system.