Integration of organizations and data exchange. Cross-functional integration within companies is a prerequisite for successful operations and is necessary in order to capitalize on potential service improvements (Bowersox and Daugherty, 1995; Croxton et al., 2001). Information integration and data synchronization is important to achieve a seamless flow of data and sharing of information among members of the supply chain (Evgeniou, 2002). The complete integration toward the management information system is shown within the dotted line in Figure 2.