Title: Development of an internet retail value chain model for electronic business

Authors: June Wei, Walaipan Kesthong, Lai C. Liu, Kai S. Koong

Addresses: Department of Management/MIS, College of Business, University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA. ' Department of Management/MIS, College of Business, University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA. ' College of Business Administration, The University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX 78541, USA. ' College of Business Administration, The University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX 78541, USA

Abstract: In this research study, a value chain model containing 74 e-business solution items was developed to show how Information Technology (IT) could be adopted by internet retail businesses. An investigation into the current implementation patterns of IT adoptions by the top 20 internet retail companies show that these e-business items can be categorised into basic and specific solutions. The basic solutions represent those e-business items needed by every company in the internet retail industry. Specific solutions are e-business items that are found only in companies operating in specific market segments. Using versatility analysis and implementation mapping, it was found that all these top 20 companies have at least 50% of the e-business solution items.

Keywords: e-business solutions; information technology; IT adoption; e-value chain management; internet retailing; value chain management; electronic business; electronic VCM; online retailing; e-tailing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2007.013758

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2007 Vol.12 No.4, pp.360 - 383

Published online: 25 May 2007 *

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