The Transforming Power of Business-to-Business Electronic Business

Abstract:At the beginning of the 21st century Internet-based B2B e-Business is the ultimate driving force and transforming power in traditional business - the Old-Economy - and its continuous evolution toward a truly networked and globalized economic system. This paper develops a holistic definition and classification of e-Business in general and B2B e-Business in particular. It provides concepts to describe and categorise the development of B2B e-Business, the emerging opportunities of B2B e-Business, and how B2B e-Business shapes and transforms the goals, strategies, structures and processes of a traditional firm in the Old-Economy. The paper concludes with a discussion of selected strategic issues of B2B e-Business. The goal is to show that B2B e-Business means the advent of the next generation of business, just as the industrialisation did 200 years ago. Table of Contents:1. Introduction1.1 Internet based B2B e-Business -The rise of a new economic era1.1.1 The Automotive Industry- the case for B2B e-Business1.1.2 A lack of common definitions and categorisations1.2 Objectives1.3 Limitations2. Methodology2.1 Research Background2.2 Research Approach2.2.1 Inductive vs. deductive research approach2.2.2 Qualitative vs. quantitative research approach2.3 Research Methods2.3.1 Desk research - document analysis2.3.2 Field Research - qualitative interviews2.3.2.1 Unstructured interview2.3.2.2 Semi-structured interview2.4 Data Sources2.4.1 Secondary data2.4.2 Primary data2.5 Data Analysis2.6 Frame of reference 3. Porters value chain and value system 3.1 Value chain 3.2 Value system 3.3 Supply chain 3.4 Demand chain 3.5 Value chain & value System vs. supply chain & demand chain4. e-Business - The e-Volution of business4.1 Internet Revolution vs. e-Business Evolution4.1.1 The case for incremental change4.2 e-Business - A change of paradigms4.2.1 The birth and death of the e4.2.2 The EURO Metaphor4.3 B2B e-Business - the driving force of e-Business4.4 B2B e-Business - an innovative and transforming power5. e-Business - holistic approach5.1 The nature of e-Business5.2 The evolutionary context of e-Business5.3 The reversion of the traditional value chain and value system5.4 The 4 generic dimensions of e-Business - A classification5.4.1 Business-to-Business e-Business5.4.1.1 B2B e-Business - integrating the […]