Introduction do eBusiness

Module 8: Networks, Portals, Auctions, and B2B

Module Goals

After completing this module, students will be able to do the following:

  • Discuss the evolution and growth of B2B e-commerce, as well as its potential benefits and challenges.
  • Differentiate how procurement and supply chains relate to B2B e-commerce.
  • Identify major trends in supply chain management and collaborative commerce.
  • Describe the different characteristics and types of Net marketplaces.
  • Explain the objectives of private industrial networks, their role in supporting collaborative commerce, and the barriers to their implementation.

 Overview

Tabulating equipment became an important part of life in the United States with the census in the late 1800s. Punch card equipment and systems evolved from those applications. By the 1950s, computers replaced hand-wired plug-board logic in these systems making them much more flexible and useful.

Business information systems allowed business to keep track of large inventories of numerous items, fueling an explosion in what could be built and provided so many choices to consumers. Collaboration between firms used to be facilitated by physically shipping numerous trays of punched cards, and untold numbers of reels of magnetic tape. The development of digital networking did not take place overnight and even when firms used electronic means to send data via modems and other tools, it was common to send bulk data via tape.

As data rates and reliability of computer network grew, so did business dependency on them. Firms could focus on areas of unique competency and more easily partner with others due to their ability to coordinate and collaborate via data. Business-to-Business (B2B) networking and collaboration started long before Business-to-Consumer (B2C) was possible, primarily because most consumers did not have the equipment or the expertise to use it. As personal computers grew in power and fell in price, methods of selling that had been limited to B2B networking came to consumers. Auctions and portals are becoming more common for consumers and the growing popularity of social networks could very well lead to remarkable transformations in customer relationship management and collaboration. The future for eBusiness is bright and it is clear there is room for innovation to help us move smartly into a better future.

 Goals Alignment

  • University Mission Based Outcomes – 2, 4, 5
  • Program Learning Goals – 1, 2, 3
  • Course Learning Objectives – 1, 2, 3, 7

 

 Learning Materials

  • Laudon, K. C., & Traver, C. G. (2021). E-commerce: Business, technology and society (16th ed.). Pearson. ISBN 9780136931720. Read Chapter 12.

 Assignment

Discussion Question:

Using chapter 12 from the book as a guide, discuss at least five potential benefits of B2B e-commerce.