Product Description

This volume analyzes strategic marketing approaches on the basis of both marketing theory and international case studies. Its systematic study of Internet commerce models should allow any company to better organize their business and understand where their sources of revenue come from. It offers an assessment of a rapidly growing area, covering current models and showing how they have fared in practice. The book also provides an analytical assessment of the marketplace for business–to–business electronic commerce strategies and Includes recommendations for the implementation of a marketing strategy for business–to–business e–commerce.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #576127 in Books
• Published on: 2000-07-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
In this dense work, Dr. Paul Timmers, who heads up the electronic commerce sector for the European Union's research and technology development and business pilot programme, explains the application of electronic commerce over the Internet to solve common business problems. Because so much of the Internet is new, much of the work is predictive, though Dr. Timmers grounds the issues in applications of the Internet by existing companies. The book comprises a rich mix of the theoretical along with numerous case studies. He presents four case studies from the United States--Marshall Industries, Fedex, Industry.net and Amazon.com--along with four from Europe--Citrus Belgium, Tradezone, Global Engineering Network and Infomar. Each case study focuses on the overall effect of the Internet on the business and then zeroes in on the customers, products and services, competition and the marketing strategy. From the case studies, Dr. Timmers generalises about the effect on marketing strategy: "The cases studied have in common that they are all relatively innovative in terms of product and service development. It is striking, however, that none of them appears to emphasise a large proprietary advantage in technology. Mastery of technology is critical, nevertheless". The 245-page book concludes with possible scenarios about how the Internet will affect business in the future. --Bruce McWilliams

Review
"Because so much of the Internet is new, much of the work is predictive, though Dr. Timmers grounds the issues in applicationsof the Internet by existing companies. The book comprises a rich mix of the theoretical along with numerous case studies." ––Bruce McWilliams , ,
"One of the most helpful features of this book is the flexible approach to forecasting the future of B2B e–commerce . . . . Sections I would particularly recommend are those on disintermediation and on the convergence of B2B and B2C markets . . . My hot tip? If you can′t plough through the whole book, the last two pages are a useful summary –and don′t miss out on the case studies." ––Margaret Morrison, Knowledge Specialist in the area of Electronics and High–Tech, Anderson Consulting
"This book is a very good and systematic guide from key and successful B2B stories, to generic business models, to global marketing and branding, to technical guidance and finally to business–business vision. A MUST – HAVE BOOK for managers and practitioners of B–B commerce at the right time with the right quality." ––Vaggelis Ouzounis,
"... gives an excellent grounding into business to business internet trading. If you are interested in this subject then buy this book." ––Graham Hutton, Consultant in Strategy and e–business, Strategy, May 2000
"Business to business e–commerce is a revolution because of the profound impact it has on the way businesses are run... a valuable contribution to all of those who want to analyse the business–to–business developments in both Europe and America. When you read this book you are convinced that, re–phrasing Shakespeare, ′B–2–B, or not to be; that is the question′" ––Erkki Liikanen, Member of the European Commision, Enterprise and Information Society

Review
"This is a book that actually does what it promises. This book unravels the hype into digestible chunks."
( Supply Management, 2nd November 2000)

"...Electronic Commerce is worth its weight in gold. This is one of very few books to focus solely on business–to–business trading on the Internet."
(Internet Works, November 2000)

"excellent basic guide"
(Long Range Planning, Vol. 34, 2001)

Customer Reviews

Simply the best book on the subject !
This book is not for the faint-hearted who would like to simply speed-read their way to internet fame - sorry! Timmers has some valid e-biz models and some useful case studies but where the real value comes is from chapter 5 onwards. His use of transaction cost analysis is insightful and, had they cared to read it, could have helped the CEO's of many of the failed B2B companies by indicating the holes in their business models. His vision of value networks and dynamic markets is ahead of its time and shows the way to the future in the form of collaborative commerce.

Its not an easy read but then there's no such thing as a free lunch is there ?

An excellant overview of e-commerce business acumen
Timmers book gets straight to the point, without the superficaility that accompanies so many books on the internet revolution. He effortlessly links business strategy with real world situations and still leaves room for reader knowledge to influence his ideas - which is very important for buiness advice. The gamut of e-commerce books should take note of Timmers style and approach and start writing about bottom line business methods instead of the wish washy 'blue sky' approach that, in my opinion, is more responsible for the current situation than many people like to believe. Buy this book and make a difference for your business approach - from the word go!!!

Ideal for bus' developers, acadamics and e-commerce fanatics
This is one of those rare books that will actually help people to make more sense of the structure of e-commerce. In depth analysis is offered in the areas of procurement, marketing and how e-commerce is broken down.

A fundamental part of e-commerce is its structure rather than just hosting or having a website. This book applies established business theories to well known models and helps structure and relate them to the area of e-commerce.

In an easy to read format and understandable methodology, it is one that you will find informative, realistic and helpful.

A certain bonus for business men, those in higher education and e-commerce analysts, as the methodology makes sense and is easily understood.