Title: Analysis of e-marketplace for the textile industry in China

Authors: Jun Zhuo, Xin James He

Addresses: College of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. ' Dolan School of Business, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT 06824, USA

Abstract: This research investigates the current status of e-marketplace in the textile and apparel industries in China by means of a survey from 100 firms in Zhejiang, China. The main purpose of this paper is to reveal |why| and |how| firms adopt such B2B e-commerce intermediation to replace or supplement the traditional supply chain networks and conventional trade fairs in pursuit of more sustainable, long-term competitiveness. Statistical analysis indicates that the key motivation for a company to participate in e-marketplace is to explore marketing related information exchange and dissemination as the first step to achieving more tangible e-business benefits and operational efficiency, whereas the number one perceived benefit of using e-marketplace is that it will improve the firm|s information technology infrastructure and technological know-how in the long-term. Managerial implications are discussed in terms of e-commerce environment, global competitiveness, potential transaction cost reduction, and related supply chain management issues.

Keywords: e-marketplace; factor analysis; textile industry; apparel industry; China; garment industry; clothing industry; electronic markets; B2B; electronic commerce; e-commerce; information exchange; information dissemination; e-business; electronic business; supply chain management; SCM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2007.012683

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2007 Vol.4 No.3, pp.337 - 353

Published online: 08 Mar 2007 *

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