A Case Study on the Success Factors of B2C Reverse Auction Business Model

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to derive success factors of B2C reverse auction business model, a business model contributes to the recent innovative practices in e-commerce and service sector. Electronic reverse auction has been traditionally used to ensure the procurement convenience and purchasing efficiency in B2B or B2G settings, however, e-RA is now expanding its basis toward B2C commerce industry along the huge success of an online e-RA travel service provider Priceline.com. Recently, B2C e-RA business model is getting the spotlight in the Korean venture industry with a variety of startups in diverse areas. However, e-RA does not work perfect in all kinds of trade settings. Therefore, we conducted a multiple case study to find out the success factors of B2C business model as follows : First, large supplier basis is an important factor that constructs a quasi-perfect competition environment. Second, the high online and mobile accessibility or e-readiness of Korean consumers was also a critical aspect of the success of e-RA. Lastly, e-RA performs best when the supplier switching cost is low and the trading occurs infrequently.