Interorganizational system

An interorganizational system (IOS) is a system between organizations, or "shared information system among a group of companies." The most common form of interorganizational system is electronic data interchange, which permits instantaneous computer-to-computer transfer of information.

Overview
Interorganizational systems allow the flow of information to be automated between organizations in order to reach a desired supply-chain management system, which enables the development of competitive organizations. This supports forecasting client needs and the delivery of products and services.

Interorganizational system helps to better manage buyer-supplier relationships by encompassing the full depths of tasks associated with business processes company-wide. In doing these activities, an organization is able to increase the productivity automatically; therefore, optimizing communication within all levels of an organization as well as between the organization and the supplier. For example, each T-shirt that is sold in a retail store is automatically communicated to the supplier who will, in turn, ship more T-shirts to the retailer.

An Inter-organizational system is an information system shared by one or more suppliers and customers

Organizations might pursue an interorganizational system for the following reasons:
 * 1) Reduce the risk in the organization
 * 2) Pursue economies of scale
 * 3) Benefit from the exchange of technologies
 * 4) Increase competitiveness
 * 5) Overcome investment barriers
 * 6) Encourage global communication

An examples of interorganizational systems is the Sabre (computer system).

“ understanding of environmental uncertainty are leading to the horizontal relationships across organizations."