A Model for Value-Added E-Marketplace Provisioning: Case Study from Alibaba.com

Abstract

Alibaba.com is one of the leading B2B e-Commerce companies in China. It provides an e-Marketplace connecting small and medium-sized buyers and suppliers both in China and around the world. Alibaba.com has grown admirably from its initial beginning as a general e-Market to a giant e-Marketplace. During its rapid growth, it has incurred challenges and became more exposed to greater competition. Currently the quality of its services and achieving profitability remain Alibaba's greatest challenges. In this paper we examine the key factors of the strategies of Alibaba.com, including trust, market, search, payment and tools. Alibaba's strategies led to its success: strong brand, providing customers with outstanding value and a superior shopping experience, massive sales volume and realizing economies of scale. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2009.