How to measure competition? The role of price dispersion in B2B supply markets

Since the formation of close relationships with suppliers requires a considerable amount of resources, the capacities for such relationships are limited. Thus, recently, research points into the direction that it might not be conducive to unconditionally engage in strategic buyer-supplier alliances. Specifically, in those cases where there is a vivid competition within the supply market, it might not be necessary to cooperate closely. However, a convenient measurement method for competition has been missing in the literature so far. Accordingly, this conceptual paper translates insights from the field of economics for an application in purchasing and supply management. It is recommended to evaluate the product price dispersion of supplier quotations in order to assess the intensity of competition in supply markets. As a consequence, this conceptual paper paves the way for future research on competition between suppliers. For managers, the proposed method could support the development of efficient purchasing strategies

Characteristics of Australian B2B imarketplaces

Existing research on B2B iMarketplaces (and intermediaries operating them) focuses primarily on viewing US iMarketplace web sites or conducting case studies. This paper extends this work by presenting survey findings of the total identifiable population of Australian B2B iMarketplace intermediaries to describe the iMarketplace characteristics and to determine if the findings provide more generalisable support for the literature.<br /

The Impact of Different Types of Satisfaction on C2C Platform Loyalty

Online satisfaction is regarded as an important construct in both the marketing and IS literatures. However, online satisfaction has been treated primarily as a unified concept in previous research, some researchers indicate that satisfaction can be differentiated into several types. We identify four types of customer satisfaction in the C2C online shopping context, viz.: economic satisfaction, social satisfaction, transaction-specific satisfaction and overall satisfaction. In addition, we identify the different antecedents and consequences of these four types of satisfaction. The results of a survey of 239 online buyers indicate that economic satisfaction is positively related to price, product quality and service quality, while social satisfaction is positively related to relationship with the sellers and service quality. Both economic satisfaction and social satisfaction exert a positive impact on overall satisfaction with the website. Finally, all these types of satisfaction can lead to online loyalty. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed

Exploring the factors affecting the use of C2C in Colombia

This study analyses the factors that users of consumer-to-consumer (C2C) commerce value as direct influences in the intention to use and the acceptance of a marketplace. An empirical model is formulated, which integrates three variables that evaluate trust and, in turn, other variables that influence C2C intention and purchases, taking a sample of 686 surveys gathered using the Internet in Colombia. The results show that trust is a fundamental factor in this type of electronic commerce in Colombia, given that C2C users seek intermediation pages with third-party recognition (TPR) and high web quality; similarly, key variables in the adoption of this type of commercial platform include finding low prices and social influence. The perception of trust in this type of electronic commerce is a broader concept that requires the analysis of psychosocial factors. For companies that manage marketplaces, this study allows them to focus on key actions and tools in their websites. This study allowsone to get to know the users of this transactional system, specifically for the Latin American region, highlighting the variables that they most consider when engaging in direct commerce between people. The results show that C2C requires marketplaces that guarantee the necessary conditions for a purchase/sale transaction with trust and quality

Challenging The Global, Rediscovering The Local: Voluntary Market Restriction In C2C E-Marketplaces

The current age of networked information systems brings concerns that in an increasingly global world the dominance of multinational corporations overrides regional and national identities. This view is challenged by the concept of glocalisation where ideas in the global environment are adapted to take account of local cultures. Many organisations operating globally seek to adapt their business strategies to fit with local environments. However, in an increasingly glocalized world organisations may curtail their market by forming boundaries around their online presence; in essence making local what is potentially global. We have identified this strategy of boundedness as ‘voluntary market restriction’. This study aims to examine voluntary market restriction in the consumer-to-consumer (C2C) space where online marketplaces are differentiating themselves by creating boundaries within which they embed communities. This paper examines three C2C e-marketplaces with strong similarities in their market mechanisms that have the potential to operate globally, although two have chosen not to do so. These two market makers have put boundaries around their markets; one by language and one by geography. They have succeeded in wresting considerable local market share from the global e-marketplace. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of the research and suggestions for future study

Understanding Service Provision and Online Repurchase Intention in Online Auction Contexts

This study investigates how service provision can help to establish business value and further develop customer loyalty onauction websites. With respect to the increasing importance for long-term success of auction websites, this study also examinesthe moderating effect of webpage design in retaining customers by comparing different types of auction websites (i.e., customised vs. unified webpage design). The findings suggest that the service provision around purchasing does not have a direct impact on buyers’ repurchase intention. However, service provision contributes to the development of business value and customer loyalty, and this in turn motivates buyers’ intention to repurchase from the same online seller on auction websites

Government-to-Citizen Online Dispute Resolution: A Preliminary Inquiry

This Article first examines the use of ODR [online dispute resolution] as a tool for private sector dispute resolution. It explores some of the reasons for a slower rate of uptake in business-to-consumer e-commerce disputes. The Article then suggests that a new and innovative use for ODR may be for public sector dispute resolution—between governments and citizens. The use of technology for public dispute resolution may promote access to justice in the administrative context

Effects of online one-yuan Dutch auction on the seller’s revenue: Evidence from an online community for auctioning agricultural and subsidiary products in China

The traditional Dutch auction usually sets the starting price but does not set the final price. The effects and impact factors on the seller’s revenue have not been discussed if the final price of online Dutch auction is set to a teeny number (i.e., one RMB) which is termed as an one-RMB Dutch auction. Based on the regret theory and related literature, the effects of starting price, time pressure (one day and 15 minutes of time interval respectively) and product perishability on buyers\u27 choice behavior and the revenue of sellers were examined. The results showed that there is a negative effect coming from the starting price, time pressure and perishability of products and the overall discount rate of product auction; and buyers are more inclined to bid in the penultimate round of the price reduction cycle

Why did electronic B2B marketplaces fail?

Dynamometer tests have been carried out to evaluate the performance, emissions and wear characteristics of an indirect injection diesel engine when fuelled by 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 per cent blends of ordinary coconut oil (COCO) with ordinary diesel fuel (OD). The test was conducted for 100 h using each of the test fuels to monitor the eVect of COCO blends on the wear and lubricating oil performance. OD fuel was also used for comparison purposes. The operating performance of the engine and the emission characteristics of exhaust gases were compared. The eVect of blended fuel on the engine’s wear and lubrication characteristics in terms of wear metal (Fe), water concentration, oxidation, viscosity, total base number and additive depletion was analysed. The performance and emissions characteristics results showed that 10–30 per cent coconut oil blends produced slightly higher performance in terms of brake power than OD. All the COCO blends produced lower exhaust emissions including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and particulate matter. The wear and lubrication oil characteristics results showed that COCO blends up to 30 per cent produced similar results to OD. This programme will give useful information for further research and development in the future if COCO is used as an alternative to OD

Factors affecting the adoption of online auctions by internet users in Hong Kong

This is an exploratory empirical study with the aim to identify the factors that affect the adoption of online auctions by Internet users in Hong Kong. The frameworks used were the TAM (Technology Acceptance Model), TCE (Transaction Cost Economics) and SERVQUAL (Service Quality). It was found that the dimensions that affected the customer’s perceived value of the online auction are benefits, costs, risks and service quality. Data was collected from four pilot focus groups, one online survey and a final focus group. The subjects in the focus groups were 21 undergraduates, whereas the subjects in the online survey were 152 internet users. The results of the pilot focus groups guided the design of the online survey. The results of the survey was analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The final focus group was used to seek explanations to some issues arose from the online survey. It was found that the factors in the benefit dimension were liquidity, enjoyment, and price transparency. The factors in the cost dimension were time, effort, service charge and reputation of the user. The factor in the risk dimension was financial risk. The factors in the service quality dimension were efficiency and system availability. The final focus group revealed that the auctioneer’s role in policing the auction web site was important. For differences among the subjects, it was also found that the adult users consider their reputation in auction website, young adults are worried about financial risks, and female users are more concerned about financial risks than male users. The implications of these differences are discussed. The main academic contribution was the development of a questionnaire and a model which can be used in further research about other forms of auction