Business value of B2B electronic commerce: the critical role of inter-firm collaboration

B2B (business-to-business) electronic commerce provides firms with different business value depending on how organizations use the online network. In this paper, we distinguish two different types of B2B e-commerce adoption: basic and collaborative B2B e-commerce. With “basic B2B e-commerce”, firms implement the electronic network simply to automate the exchange of commercial documents. In contrast, B2B networks are used to create new inter-firm operations with channel partners in “collaborative B2B e-commerce.” The central claim of this paper is that firms are unlikely to achieve significant benefits with Basic B2B e-commerce. B2B electronic networks offer dramatic performance improvement only when the B2B network is used to create new collaboration with channel partners. Based on the survey conducted in the grocery industry, this study suggests that the real source of performance improvement in the B2B electronic commerce is not an electronic linkage itself, but the collaboration enabled by the electronic network.     

Realising B2B e-commerce benefits: the link with IT maturity,evaluation practices,and B2BEC adoption readiness

Actual realisation of business-to-business electronic commerce (B2B e-commerce) benefits from IT investments has been a critical issue for large organisations. However, relatively little research has been undertaken to determine the drivers for realising B2B e-commerce benefits within these organisations. A survey research was conducted to examine the relationships between B2B e-commerce benefits, IT investment evaluation methodologies (IEM), IT benefit realisation processes (BRP), B2B e-commerce adoption readiness, and IT maturity in large Australian organisations. An IT investment management model was developed to test these relationships. The results had empirically validated the model and indicate that a higher level of BRP adoption and increased level of B2B e-commerce adoption readiness had a significant direct relationship with B2B e-commerce benefits. In addition, the level of B2B e-commerce adoption readiness, and the level of IEM and BRP adoption were significantly influenced by the level of IT maturity. However, the use of IEM alone had only an indirect positive influence on B2B e-commerce benefits through the higher level of BRP adoption and increased level of B2B e-commerce adoption readiness.     

An integrated online pick-to-sort order batching approach for managing frequent arrivals of B2B e-commerce orders under both fixed and variable time-window batching

The emergence of e-commerce marketplace, especially the business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce sector, has created a vast market opportunity for retailers and logistics service providers (LSPs). However, facing the structural changes in B2B logistics orders, without any transformation of logistics operating process in distribution centres, LSPs are experiencing serious challenges in handling B2B e-commerce orders. In order for LSPs to grasp the market pie of the logistics and distribution sector of the e-commerce business through improving the core capability of handling B2B e-commerce order in their distribution centres, this paper proposes a novel approach for LSPs to systematically execute B2B order pre-processing so that the B2B e-commerce orders are better managed. An intelligent B2B order handling system (IOHS) is developed for efficient management of discrete, frequently arrived B2B e-commerce orders. By applying the “warehouse postponement” concept through the development of IOHS integrating cloud database management, fuzzy logic, and genetic algorithm approach, B2B order grouping solutions are effectively generated. A case study is conducted in a Hong Kong-based logistics service provider who handles outsourced B2B e-commerce orders, indicating the feasibility of the proposed solution to facilitate e-order fulfilment under both fixed and variable time-window batching settings in distribution centres. A significant improvement in terms of the throughput rate of handling B2B e-commerce order in the distribution centre is found, thereby increasing the satisfaction of buyers and sellers throughout the order handling and delivery process, as well as facilitating LSPs’ capability to manage a larger number of orders received from B2B e-commerce platform, given the greater product exposure of sellers in today’s B2B e-business.     

Standards-based approaches to B2B workflow integration

E-business automates the overall activities of a company and allows distributed systems to communicate their information. Process automation and information sharing improve a company’s productivity and responsiveness, while Business-to-Business (B2B) workflow systems electronically aid the progress of business processes among trading partners, and also help companies to monitor and administrate their process execution. This study analyzes the technologies and standards for B2B workflow integration, and extracts a reference model for B2B workflow integration. Based on the reference model, three approaches to B2B workflow integration will be introduced here. In addition, we have developed a prototype system of one approach and have illustrated an example for B2B workflow integration. The result of our research can help business partners understand the workflow standards and the messaging technologies for B2B workflow integration, and also help them understand how to implement workflow integration systems that are appropriate to their e-business environments.     

Do security and privacy policies in B2B and B2C e-commerce differ? A comparative study using content analysis

Security and privacy policies address consumer concerns related to security and privacy in e-commerce websites. As these policies represent only the vendor’s perspective, often there exists a mismatch between the stated and desired policy. Based on transaction cost theory, we speculate that business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce customers use their transaction cost savings in order to obtain varying levels of security and privacy. These differences are bound to be reflected in the security and privacy policies of e-commerce companies. Therefore, in this paper, we perform a comparative content analysis of the security and privacy policies in B2C and B2B e-commerce. Results show that B2B vendors are more concerned about security than their B2C counterparts, while B2C vendors are anxious about intimacy and restriction privacy. Our findings have important implications for e-commerce consumers and vendors as individual and corporate consumers have varying concerns while transacting online. Individual consumers are concerned about maintaining security and intimacy privacy, whereas corporate users are anxious about regulatory issues. Therefore, B2C vendors should incorporate stringent measures dedicated to confidentiality and protection of consumer data as well as enhance intimacy privacy in their security policies, while their B2B counterparts should focus on enhancing restriction privacy.     

基于RosettaNet的B2B电子商务交换平台

B2Bhub是简化Busines-to-Business（B2B）交换的一个中介体。通过B2B网关,管理不同贸易伙伴间消息交换的通信及安全问题,通过管理系统和数据转换引擎实现购买流程中,买卖双方的匹配。HUB架构中的核心部分是B2B集成服务器,它实现了RosettaNet以及其他B2B协议。因此,hub是一个在B2B集成服务器上的特殊应用。     

Adopters and non-adopters of business-to-business electronic commerce in Singapore

Although there has been an increase in research studies of business-to-business (B2B) electronic commence (e-commerce), most studies were carried out in the United States or Europe. There are very limited studies on B2B e-commerce in the Asian context. Our effort examined Web-based B2B e-commerce initiatives in Singapore, an island of 650 km² in South–East Asia. Data were collected from 108 firms using a mail survey, which showed that 52.8% firms have adopted B2B e-commerce; of these, two-third had a formal plan and/or task force for B2B e-commerce deployment. Customer-related applications were generally more common than supplier-related applications. Problems in B2B e-commerce adoption included the difficulty of measuring benefits, fear of granting suppliers and customers access to corporate systems and insufficient time for staff to develop new skills in e-commerce. Implications of the results are discussed.     

B2B电子商务事例研究

电子商务技术正在当前国际企业界方兴未艾，我国也在积极起步。对于电子商务的内涵及其范畴的界定，尤有确切认定的必要。审视国际成功建立电子商务的典型案例，分析其必备前提条件并预见其发展方向，为发展我国化工企业电子商务提供借鉴，这无疑是很有必要的。     

基于cnXML的B2B电子商务集成方法

作为企业应用集成（EAI）的一种形式，企业间集成比企业内部的局部应用集成更复杂。首先简单介绍EAI和B2B集成，然后针对目前B2B集成的问题，分析cnXML在电子商务集成中的优势，提出基于cnXML的B2B电子商务集成框架，并针对有无电子商务注册中心，讨论两种不同的实现方法，最后用基于cnXML的B2B集成的简易原型系统说明来例证。     

一种新的B2B电子商务过程建模方法

针对当前B2B电子商务标准和跨组织的工作流过程建模语言存在的过程描述能力比较差的问题，提出了一种新的B2B电子商务过程建模方法。该方法基于ebXML的业务过程规范模型(BPSS)并将它扩充和一般化，从而有效地实现了B2B电子商务过程模型的建立。     

Adopters and non-adopters of business-to-business electronic commerce in Singapore

Although there has been an increase in research studies of business-to-business (B2B) electronic commence (e-commerce), most studies were carried out in the United States or Europe. There are very limited studies on B2B e-commerce in the Asian context. Our effort examined Web-based B2B e-commerce initiatives in Singapore, an island of 650 km² in South–East Asia. Data were collected from 108 firms using a mail survey, which showed that 52.8% firms have adopted B2B e-commerce; of these, two-third had a formal plan and/or task force for B2B e-commerce deployment. Customer-related applications were generally more common than supplier-related applications. Problems in B2B e-commerce adoption included the difficulty of measuring benefits, fear of granting suppliers and customers access to corporate systems and insufficient time for staff to develop new skills in e-commerce. Implications of the results are discussed.     

数据交换技术在B2B电子商务中的应用和发展

在B2B电子商务解决方案中，如何交换参与商务活动企业的信息系统之间不同标准的数据是一个重要问题。传统的方法是应用基于增值网VAN的EDI技术，随着Internet的迅速发展，XML技术的日渐成熟，B2B电子商务的数据交换技术出现了新的发展契机。本文分析和比较了应用于数据交换领域的几种主要技术，并提出了一种基于XML的B2B电子商务数据交换的解决模型。     

Business-to-business interactions: issues and enabling technologies

Business-to-Business (B2B) technologies pre-date the Web. They have existed for at least as long as the Internet. B2B applications were among the first to take advantage of advances in computer networking. The Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) business standard is an illustration of such an early adoption of the advances in computer networking. The ubiquity and the affordability of the Web has made it possible for the masses of businesses to automate their B2B interactions. However, several issues related to scale, content exchange, autonomy, heterogeneity, and other issues still need to be addressed. In this paper, we survey the main techniques, systems, products, and standards for B2B interactions. We propose a set of criteria for assessing the different B2B interaction techniques, standards, and products.     

基于本体的B2B电子商务MAS模型及商品匹配算法

随着B2B电子商务特别是电子集市的发展,企业进行电子交易更加灵活、方便,但同时由于大量信息的异构性也带来了信息集成上的问题,而且这一问题已成为B2B电子商务发展的瓶颈。文章建立一种基于本体的多Agent模型,增加GMAg(Goods Matching Agent)用于商品的识别和自动匹配,综合考虑商品组件概念和属性组件概念的语义相似度,提出基于商品本体结构语义相似度匹配算法,解决了异构商务系统之间商品信息自动匹配问题。通过一个汽车领域的实例计算,说明其匹配精度和效率。     

The Effects of Process Characteristics on the Value of B2B E-Procurement

Even as more organizations are moving towards implementing Web-based B2B procurement solutions, they are unsure of the real benefits of the Web. In other words, what is the value of B2B e-procurement to an organization and how to measure this value? What factors affect this value? In this paper, we discuss an evaluation framework to determine the value of B2B e-procurement and the effect of process characteristics on the value. We use an empirical study to highlight the different value created by different procurement types. We then develop a more comprehensive economic model to capture the additional effects of demand volume and process complexity. The integration of theoretical and empirical approaches provides a strong foundation to develop and evaluate useful adoption strategies for B2B e-procurement.     

B2B协同决策半自动一致性模型设计与实现

具有群一致特性的多属性协同决策（MACD）技术对于支持供应链中复杂多变、资源动态的大型群体供应商与客户B2B协同是十分重要的,现有的群一致性模型存在明显不足：难于管理较大群体,需要大量复杂手工操作以确保协同决策过程有效。提出了面向供应商与客户B2B协同的多属性协同决策半自动一致性模型（SACM）。SACM包括4阶段：（1）供应商与客户B2B协同资源数据初始化;（2）形成协同决策问题;（3）一致性达到过程及供应商与客户B2B协同计划生成;（4）协同计划执行实时监控分析及计划重构。研究结果描述了供应链中,供应商与客户B2B协同由单向、局部的优化扩展进化为具有多层一致性与抗风险性的闭环、反馈的计划与执行协同优化的有效方法,提出的方法深化了对供应商与客户B2B协同管理的理解。     

XML与B2B应用集成的研究与实现

B2B应用集成将应用和数据库捆绑在一起，以满足与外部企业共享信息的需求。XML提供了一个坚固的，能够被人们所理解的信息交换标准，它的基础结构非常有利于信息的交换和管理，对B2B应用集成提供强有力的支持。本文给出了一个基于XML的B2B集成方案，并对此方案作了详细讨论。     

B2B E-Commerce Adoption in Iranian Manufacturing Companies: Analyzing the Moderating Role of Organizational Culture

The objective of this research is to examine the factors affecting Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce (B2B EC) adoption within technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, and to test how such effects are moderated by organizational culture. Using a survey questionnaire, 320 responses were received from managers and owners of manufacturing companies in Iran. PLS-SEM technique was used for analysis. B2B EC adoption in manufacturing companies was found to be affected by cost of adoption, top management support, competitive pressure, and government support; and organizational culture was found to negatively moderate the relationship between top management support and B2B EC adoption. Managers, owners, and policy makers can use these findings to facilitate the adoption of B2B EC. Previous research have not analyzed the moderating role of organizational culture; these findings contribute to the e-commerce literature by filling this gap. The results indicate that the TOE framework provides a strong base for the study of B2B EC in developing countries. The results also show that this framework is able to integrate moderating variable into the theoretical model.     

On agent-mediated electronic commerce

This paper surveys and analyzes the state of the art of agent-mediated electronic commerce (e-commerce), concentrating particularly on the business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) aspects. From the consumer buying behavior perspective, agents are being used in the following activities: need identification, product brokering, buyer coalition formation, merchant brokering, and negotiation. The roles of agents in B2B e-commerce are discussed through the business-to-business transaction model that identifies agents as being employed in partnership formation, brokering, and negotiation. Having identified the roles for agents in B2C and B2B e-commerce, some of the key underpinning technologies of this vision are highlighted. Finally, we conclude by discussing the future directions and potential impediments to the wide-scale adoption of agent-mediated e-commerce.     

基于J2EE多模式的B2B电子商务系统设计

J2EE模式提供了一组基于J2EE平台的对常见问题的解决方案，使用J2EE模式可以显著优化系统性能，有效增强系统的可维护性、扩展性和重用性，大大缩短系统研发周期。该文用一个纺织行业B2B网上订购系统作为实例，说明如何以最佳方式将多个J2EE模式连结在一起设计出强壮、高效的B2B电子商务系统。