Title: Seller performance in B2B e-marketplaces: a validated exploratory model based on resource-based view and transaction cost theories

Authors: Shan Wang; Ji-Ye Mao; Norm Archer

Addresses: Department of Management Science and Engineering, School of Business, Renmin University, Beijing, 100872, China. ' Department of Management Science and Engineering, School of Business, Renmin University, Beijing, 100872, China. ' DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, L8S 4M4, Canada

Abstract: This research studies the performance of business-to-business (B2B) sellers in e-marketplaces (EMs) from both resource-based and transaction cost perspectives. Organisational resources and capabilities, including online marketing, EM management, online social networking, product/service quality, learning, and exclusive brokerage rights, are proposed to impact on B2B seller performance positively. Two transaction cost factors, asset specificity and complexity of product description, are proposed to affect B2B seller performance negatively. Hypotheses are tested empirically, based on a PLS (partial least squares) analysis of data gathered from 91 B2B online sellers. Results indicate that general capabilities such as learning and social networking capability explain online seller performance better than specific functional capabilities, and asset specificity and complexity of product description can be sources of competitive advantage for online sellers, thus positively impacting on B2B seller performance.

Keywords: seller performance; e-marketplaces; electronic marketplaces; online marketplaces; resource-based view; RBV; transaction cost theory; TCT; B2B sellers; business-to-business; PLS; partial least squares; online sellers; learning; social networking; asset specificity; product description.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNVO.2012.048907

International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 2012 Vol.11 No.3/4, pp.225 - 248

Published online: 21 Nov 2014 *

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