SWORDS AND PLOWSHARES - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR COLLABORATIVE ADVANTAGE

Competitors who view information technology exclusively as a strategic weapon for competitive advantage risk missing a valuable opportunity: the use of information technology in conjunction with competitors for collaborative advantage. Collaborative advantage is defined as the be nefit gained by a group of participants as the result of their coopera tion rather than their competition. The development of a community hea lth information network by seven competing hospitals in Dayton, Ohio i llustrates how information technology can provide such an advantage. I t also provides lessons for information systems and other managers who might consider such a use of information technology for their organiz ation. Finally, it suggests further research on the subject.