Network-Centric Collaboration and Supporting Frameworks: IFIP TC 5 WG 5.5, Seventh IFIP Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises, 25-27 September . and Communication Technology, 224)

Collaborative Networks (CN) is a fast developing area, as shown by the already large number of diverse real-world implemented cases and the dynamism of its related involved research community. Simultaneously, significant steps towards a stronger theoretical foundation for this new discipline are being taken, complemented by a growing collection of application cases in industry and services.

This book contains a number of selected articles from PRO-VE'06, the seventh working conference on virtual enterprises held in Helsinki, Finland, which was sponsored by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) and the Society of Collaborative Networks (SOCOLNET). Being recognized as the most focused scientific and technical conference on Collaborative Networks, PRO-VE continues offering the opportunity for presentation and discussion of both the latest research developments as well as the practical application case studies. Following the vision of IFIP and SOCOLNET, the PRO-VE conference offers a forum for collaboration and knowledge exchange among experts from different regions of the world.

The articles included in this book represent a comprehensive overview of recent advances in various domains and lines of research and development on collaborative networks. Of particular relevance are the topics of modeling frameworks, value systems and competency management, trust building and risk, performance indicators and network management, collaboration platforms and tools, VO creation and negotiation, and applications in industry and services.

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