Title: Evaluating the comparative efficiency of e-tailing ventures using Data Envelopment Analysis

Authors: Hokey Min, Seong Jong Joo

Addresses: James R. Good Chair in Global Supply Chain Strategy, Department of Management, BAA 3008C, College of Business Administration, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA. ' Department of Supply Chain Management, School of Business, Clayton State University, 2000 Clayton State Blvd., Morrow, GA 30260, USA

Abstract: As advancement in internet technology continues to revolutionise retail business practices, a growing number of entrepreneurs explored online retail sales outlets by establishing dot-com ventures. Following this trend, many established in-store retailers also jumped onto the dot-com bandwagon. However, in the wake of dot-com bubbles and industry-wide mergers/acquisitions, many e-tailers failed to survive. Even those who survived the increasing competition were pressured to dramatically enhance their financial efficiency. In an effort to help e-tailers enhance productivity and price leverage in the increasingly competitive retail market, this paper aims to develop a meaningful set of financial benchmarks that will dictate best practices and shape up the e-tailing business model.

Keywords: e-tailing; benchmarking; data environmental analysis; DEA; electronic business; e-business; online retail sales; sales outlets; productivity; price leverage; financial benchmarks; best practice.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEB.2008.018072

International Journal of Electronic Business, 2008 Vol.6 No.2, pp.194 - 211

Published online: 28 Apr 2008 *

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