Service Encounters and Relationships: Buyer-Supplier Interactions in Online Service Marketplaces

Extant literature characterizes the ties between buyers and sellers in online goods marketplaces–such as EBay or Amazon–as arm\u27s length relationships. In such relationships, parties are effectively strangers, and exchange goods under the assumption that they will likely never again meet in the marketplace. The rapid rise of online service marketplaces, however, warrants a thorough examination into the applicability of these conclusions to buyer-seller relationships in the nascent markets. In this work-in-progress, we hypothesize that buyer activity in the marketplace will consist initially of service encounters whereby the uncommitted or inexperienced buyer gains exposure to a large number of potential suppliers. Increased experience in and reliance upon the market, we predict, will lead to a convergence towards service relationships as buyers seek trust, reduced risk, and close partnerships through repeated exchanges with a small set of suppliers. We intend to test this learning curve hypothesis using data collected from a leading online job auction site. The results will shed new light on the nature of buyer-seller relationships in online service-exchange markets

A Perception-Based Model for Technological Innovation in Small and Medium Enterprises

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) form an integral part of every economy as they are the leadingproviders of revenue and employment. However, as the global economy becomes more reliant onInformation Communication and Technology (ICT), some SMEs are yet to reap the benefits that ICThas to offer. The low rate of adoption and innovative use of ICT amongst SMEs has become significantresearch topics in recent times. One of the many contributing factors towards the above is the failureof SMEs to recognise ICT as a technological innovation, thus affecting their decision to adopt ICT.This and the lack of dynamism between ICT firms and SMEs further impede the development andinnovation of ICT for SMEs. Using a technology-organization-environment framework, this studyattempts to address the above issue by introducing a perception-based model for technologicalinnovation in SMEs. The model is to be further tested against data collected from an Australiancontext. The model has both research and practical contributions. For research, the model attempts tostudy the key determinants and processes of technological innovation and ICT adoption in SMEs.Further, the model attempts to help SMEs recognize that adopting ICT as a technological innovationis important but more of an adaptive than a technical challenge

Exploring the Role of Social Community Within an E-Marketplace

Marketplaces have provided a meeting place for communities to socialise, exchange information and transact business for many centuries. It is perhaps a natural progression that the inclusion of social network facilities should be an intrinsic part of e-marketplace development. This exploratory study examines the concept of designing social features into an e-marketplace by considering the needs of online community members. Using TradeMe, a New Zealand horizontal intermediary e-marketplace, as an illustrative case study it was found that the use of an online community to encourage information flow, reciprocity and trust has resulted in a vibrant, successful business model. Further research is required to investigate the viability of the community model beyond the case illustrated

Electronic Government Procurement in the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement: An Opportunity for Increased Transparency and Accountability?

The use of electronic government procurement systems has grown in recent years. Policy makers are increasingly employing e-government procurement tools to generate competition, increase transparency, streamline procuring processes and cut red tape to improve governance. This paper examines the rationale for e-government procurement provisions in bilateral trade agreements and highlights the benefits from using electronic systems. Using the case of the EU-Vietnam trade agreement we elaborate on how electronic government procurement can be a mechanism to enhance transparency and accountability, and reduce opportunities for corruption in Vietnam

Hybrid buyer-supplier relationships in global electronic markets

Research on the mechanisms for conducting business with suppliers has traditionally centred on the nature of arm’s length and embedded relational models. While such models provide a basis for understanding market and closely integrated approaches to supply chain management it has been recognised that a variety of hybrid models occur in practice. This paper identifies and examines a hybrid model of buyer–supplier relationships that forms part of a portfolio of relationships managed by a large Australian organisation. The hybrid model takes a local community perspective within a market based mechanism. The characteristics of the hybrid model are underpinned by the motivation to maintain goodwill in the supplier community and employ a global competitive electronic marketplace for procurement. Strategies to manage local suppliers and consideration of their role and standing in the local community are important factors that large organisations need to incorporate in hybrid procurement arrangements

Achieving social value in public procurement through “Community Benefits”: can one size fit all?

This research examines the drivers, barriers, enablers and benefits related to implementing Community Benefits (CBs) through public sector contracts. Typically, CBs include workforce and supply chain measures, community initiatives such as philanthropy or contributions to education and measures to reduce environmental impact. To date there have been few academic studies into CBs implementation. Through an in-depth cross-sectoral dyadic study of the issues faced by 29 organisations when implementing CBs, this research expands knowledge of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) and socially responsible public procurement (SRPP). A multi-level conceptual model explores the relationship between external, organisational and individual level factors that influence the success of CBs implementation. The research makes a theoretical contribution by combining stakeholder theory, resource-dependence theory and the resource-based view to explain key findings. This research confirms many previous findings concerned with the drivers, barriers and enablers related to other forms of SSCM or SRPP in the literature. It extends academic knowledge by highlighting a number of novel findings, which may be specific to implementing CBs measures. Workforce measures and supply chain measures directed at including SMEs in the supply chain are most commonly employed but there is no “one size fits all” model for implementing CBs. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face more barriers than larger suppliers when providing socio-economic benefits to meet public sector requirements, particularly relating to workforce measures. Whilst many enablers have been suggested they are not always employed. By examining Community Benefits implementation through a dyadic study, this research enhances the understanding of academics and practitioners on how CBs may be maximised as a form of SRPP. Finally, this research has the capacity to positively influence future CBs implementation by providing key recommendations for policy-makers and practitioners and reporting results to participating organisations