Abstract
With rapid growth for years, Taiwan IC industry has played an important position in the world. In addition to the growth, close interaction and cooperation among firms have become the characteristics of Taiwan IC industry. Currently, time-based competition has been one of the most important factors for business success, and the competition in the 21st century relies on strategic supply chain management. Through interfirm collaboration by sharing information among supply chain partners, some activities originally performed in an individual firm are replaced by firms with core competency. In performing these activities, the competitive advantages through the supply chain information integration are gradually recognized. The objective of this article is to realize the current situation and future plan of inter-organizational information sharing (IOIS) in Taiwan IC industry. Through questionnaire survey, we collect and analyze various viewpoints from companies of Taiwan IC industry supply chain, including IC design houses, IC fabs, assembly and testing houses, assembly material and equipment suppliers. After the empirical analysis, we compare the findings with literatures. We conclude that the IOIS, namely networked IOIS, in Taiwan IC industry proceeds toward reciprocal interdependencies between organizations. The coordination mechanisms count on standards, rules, and mutual adjustment. Initially, the networked IOIS will tend to be much less structured and the potential for conflict may be higher. At present, because of lack of reliable and mature information connection among firms, the intensive information technology support is needed. Finally, based on the findings, we summarize the characteristics and present the model of IOIS for Taiwan IC industry supply chain. We derive three propositions as the basis for future empirical studies, and propose six suggestions to Taiwan IC industry to strengthen its supply chain management.