 Copyright © 2009, IGI Global, distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Chapter 1.10 Integrating E-Supply Networks: The Need to Manage Information Flows and Develop E-Platforms Rana Tassabehji University of Bradford, UK James Wallace University of Bradford, UK Anastasios Tsoularis Massey University, New Zealand ABSTRACT The Internet has reached a stage of maturity where its innovative adoption and implementation can be a source of competitive advantage. Supply chains are one of the areas that has reportedly benefted greatly, achieving optimisation through low cost, high effciency use of the Internet, almost seam- lessly linking global supply chains into e-supply networks. This feld is still in its academic and practical infancy, and there is a need for more empirical research to build a robust theoretical foundation, which advances our knowledge and understanding. Here, the main aims and objectives are to highlight the importance of information fows in e-supply chains/networks, and the need for their standardisation to facilitate integration, legality, security, and effciency of operations. This chapter contributes to the feld by recom- mending a three-stage framework enabling this process through the development of standardised Internet technology platforms (e-platforms), integration requirements and classifcation of information fows. INTRODUCTION The advent of the Internet and its commercial explosion over the past decade has had widespread implications for business and society. The Internet has already had a huge impact on business all over the globe as it has enabled more and more organisations to become networked and share resources. Supply chain management is one of the areas that has reportedly benefted greatly