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Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce

Author

Listed:
  • David Lucking-Reiley

    (Department of Economics, Vanderbilt University)

  • Daniel F. Spulber

    (Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University)

Abstract

This paper, prepared for the Journal of Economic Perspectives, provides an overview of the economic issues arising in business-to-business (B2B) online commerce. Just as the industrial revolution mechanized firms' manufacturing functions, the information revolution is now mechanizing firms' marketing functions. Industry insiders have forecast tremendous growth in B2B e-commerce, most predicting transaction volumes in the trillions of dollars by 2005. We begin by defining the scope of B2B e commerce, and describing its possible benefits. Next, we consider the intermediation services and transaction mechanisms offered by B2B companies, drawing on models of market microstructure and of auctions. We provide an overview of the new entrants, examining the markets they propose to serve and the types of services that they propose to provide. We include a table of 49 examples of newly established B2B Web sites. Next, we comment on the possible effects of B2B e-commerce on economic productivity. We then examine competition between B2B companies and the industry structure we might expect this competition to generate. Finally, we explore the potential effects of B2B e-commerce on the organizational structure of the companies that are the purchasers and suppliers in the B2B markets.

Suggested Citation

  • David Lucking-Reiley & Daniel F. Spulber, 2000. "Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce," Vanderbilt University Department of Economics Working Papers 0016, Vanderbilt University Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:van:wpaper:0016
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniel F. Spulber, 1996. "Market Microstructure and Intermediation," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 10(3), pages 135-152, Summer.
    2. Robert J. Gordon, 2000. "Does the "New Economy" Measure Up to the Great Inventions of the Past?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 14(4), pages 49-74, Fall.
    3. David Lucking-Reiley & Daniel F. Spulber, 2001. "Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 15(1), pages 55-68, Winter.
    4. repec:bla:jindec:v:48:y:2000:i:3:p:227-52 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Dennis W. Carlton, 1984. "Futures markets: Their purpose, their history, their growth, their successes and failures," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 4(3), pages 237-271, September.
    6. David, Paul A, 1990. "The Dynamo and the Computer: An Historical Perspective on the Modern Productivity Paradox," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 80(2), pages 355-361, May.
    7. Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon & Spulber, Daniel F, 2000. "The Fable of Fisher Body," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 43(1), pages 67-104, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure

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