Buyer–supplier behaviour in electronic reverse auctions: a relationships perspective. (21st February 2005)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dani, S.; Burns, N.D.; Backhouse, C.J.
• Is Part Of: International journal of services and operations management. Volume 1:Number 1(2005)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 34
• Publication Date: 2005-02-21
• Subjects: electronic reverse auctions -- buyer–supplier behaviour -- customer–supplier relationships -- e-auction behaviour -- e-auctions -- supply relationships -- transactional analysis -- unethical behaviour -- ethics -- code of conduct; Production management -- Periodicals; 658.5005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-2370

Abstract

This paper presents a conceptual framework for studying and understanding buyer–supplier behaviour in Electronic Reverse Auctions (E-RAs) from a relationships viewpoint. The E-RAs are very popular with buyers, though suppliers view them as being harmful to the health of their business in the long run. This has resulted in various issues, which can be detrimental for the future of E-RAs. These issues have been addressed by various researchers (Beall et al., 2003; Griffiths, 2003; Jap, 2003) as being unethical practices and the auction providers have built in some codes of conduct in the process to curb this behaviour. Though this has been successful to some extent, it has not eliminated these practices. This paper tries to explain some of the behaviour from a different perspective, using a new conceptual framework and a tool used in psychological therapeutic counselling, "Transactional Analysis" (TA).