Developing industry-wide information management capabilities: A case study from British Columbia's tree fruit industry

Abstract: As an industry of primarily small and mid-size businesses, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for British Columbia (BC)'s tree fruit growers to compete with large, often vertically integrated producers from other regions. New ways of managing information and resources collaboratively are needed to develop competitive strengths. This case study seeks to understand the information and knowledge management capabilities of the BC tree fruit cluster across the value chain for six different data domains. A qualitative methodology design of 21 in-depth interviews with cluster stakeholders provides insights into the data quality, completeness and integration points, and then applies CMMI level criteria to assess the information management capabilities of the industry. Significant data and process gaps are identified. This paper explores how the BC tree fruit industry can move forward from this position using technology solutions to support the development of information and knowledge, and collective decision-making.