IT-support as an enabler for SME-based virtual companies exemplified in aerospace industry

The reorganization of the supply chain in the aerospace industry has led to a new situation for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The suppliers are forced to deliver completed systems instead of components and assemblies. In order to react to the changed requirements, one possible solution is the project-oriented and temporary cooperation of SME by building a Virtual Organization in order to stay competitive and marketable. This paper presents an approach that allows regionally operating SME to achieve a virtual widening of their enterprise and their spectrum of products and services by forming Virtual Companies considering the aerospace industry as example.