Understanding B2B e-hubs and the value they provide
Abstract: There is currently a trend in which companies’ use of B2B e-hub integration
is increasing due to the benefits that B2B e-hubs can offer. The
continuously expanding Internet is also a factor that speeds up the
integration, allowing companies to interact and trade 24/7, eliminating the
barrier of different time zones when doing business globally. It is also
said that the traditional physical intermediary will be replaced by B2B
e-hubs which connects buyers and suppliers in a virtual marketplace and
facilitates commerce in a global environment. Based on this, the purpose of
this thesis is to provide a better understanding of the use of B2B e-hubs.
In order to reach this purpose, two research questions asked how B2B e-hubs
can be described, as well as the value they provide. Based on the research
questions a literature review was conducted, resulting in a conceptual
framework that was used to guide data collection. A qualitative, case study
methodology was used, relying on interviews to collect data. The findings
indicate that catalogues as a trading mechanism is most suitable for B2B
e-hubs in the MRO industry and that storefront and product catalogue fees
are important for the e-hub to generate revenues as well. Moreover the
findings showed that it is the quality of the core service which generated
the most value and not the value-added services. It was also found that by
participating in a B2B e-hub, companies can reduce procurement costs,
product costs and increase capacity utilization in their core activity.
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