Title: Systematic literature review on electronic reverse auction: issues and research discussion

Authors: Prashant V. Pawar; Abhishek Behl; Padmanabha Aital

Addresses: Symbiosis International University, Pune, Maharashtra, India ' Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development, Symbiosis International University, Pune, India ' Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: Electronic reverse auctions (eRAs) are receiving extensive attention as an effective stratagem to negotiate prices with suppliers and service providers for the purchase of goods and services. The aim of this paper is to explore the literature to investigate the evolution of eRA over the past few years. A review of literature on 'eRA' from 2001 to 2015 has been undertaken. The subject has been discussed at length from the viewpoint of 'supplier participation', 'spend category' and 'auction size'. The present study consolidates various benefits of eRAs such as reduced time and prices for buyers, increased competition among sellers, discovery of real time market price and improved efficiency of the purchasing process. It also discusses the limiting factors such as costs of switching suppliers, challenges to buyer-supplier relationship and resistance on the part of buyers to be a part of the entire process.

Keywords: electronic reverse auctions; eRA; online reverse auctions; online auctions; electronic auctions; e-auctions; literature review; supplier participation; spend category; auction size; competition; real time market prices; purchasing efficiency; switching suppliers; buyer-supplier relationships; buyer resistance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2017.083457

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2017 Vol.10 No.3, pp.290 - 310

Received: 01 Feb 2016
Accepted: 18 May 2016
Published online: 31 Mar 2017 *

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