Value network

Companies do not exist in sole isolation. Their value chains often depend on and are closely intertwined with the value chains of their partners and suppliers. The group of partners that a company works with to deliver a product or a service to its customers is called a 'value network'.

• Upstream value chain partners include direct suppliers and business to business exchanges
• Downstream value chain partners include wholesalers, distributors, retailers and customers
• Strategic core value chain partners fulfill core value chain activities.
• Non-Strategic core value chain partners fulfill functions such as finance, accounting or travel
• Value chain integrators such as strategic outsourcing partners, application service providers and system integrators provide the electronic infrastructure for a company.

Part of: Strategies for E-Business