The strategic implications of electronic marketplaces: from commercial transactions to interorganisational supply chain activities

We can assume that for several years, online business-to-business relations have played a key part in the way firms organise their business and their relational networks. The main issue has been the emergence of new intermediaries which reorganise business and management process throughout the value chain. Electronic marketplaces are gradually transforming the organisational structure between firms, but have been seriously affected by a major recession consequent to the collapse of the 'New Economy'. This article focuses on their impact on industries and provides a conceptual framework that aims to show how they affect the business and coordination process, with the automotive industry as an example.