Virtual Communities for SMEs: Implementing a Regional Electronic Marketplace

摘要

This paper reviews the concepts of virtual communities and electronic marketplaces and, in particular, their relevance for SMEs. A specific example of a Regional Electronic Marketplace (REM) using a Community Portal model is examined within this context. The authors review the underlying philosophy for the project and the planning which preceeded implementation. A review of the case highlights the problems which can occur and the issues which are critical for successful implementation of e-communities. Finally the authors propose a model for effective virtual community implementations.