eClusters: the potential for the emergence of digital enterprise communities enabled by one or more intermediaries in SMEs

This paper investigates the relevance to SMEs of one new business model—the digital enterprise community enabled by one or more intermediaries, termed eClusters. This proposed new type of inter‐organizational information system is significant because it has led to the formation of new network forms, rather than supporting existing configurations. The research outcomes include a proposed taxonomy, based on commitment, giving four types: Drifters, Supporters, Players and Teams. This work raises questions on the future of the outsourcing industry, which has to date achieved negligible penetration in SME sectors and highlights the potential for ICT to enable new network forms.