The Transforming Power of Business-to-Business Electronic Business

Abstract: At the beginning of the 21st century Internet-based B2B e-Business is the ultimate driving force and transforming power in traditional business - the Old-Economy - and its continuous evolution toward a truly networked and globalized economic system. This paper develops a holistic definition and classification of e-Business in general and B2B e-Business in particular. It provides concepts to describe and categorise the development of B2B e-Business the emerging opportunities of B2B e-Business and how B2B e-Business shapes and transforms the goals strategies structures and processes of a traditional firm in the Old-Economy. The paper concludes with a discussion of selected strategic issues of B2B e-Business. The goal is to show that B2B e-Business means the advent of the next generation of business just as the industrialisation did 200 years ago. Table of Contents:1. Introduction 1.1 Internet based B2B e-Business -The rise of a new economic era 1.1.1 The Automotive Industry- the case for B2B e-Business 1.1.2 A lack of common definitions and categorisations 1.2 Objectives 1.3 Limitations 2. Methodology 2.1 Research Background 2.2 Research Approach 2.2.1 Inductive vs. deductive research approach2.2.2 Qualitative vs. quantitative research approach 2.3 Research Methods2.3.1 Desk research - document analysis 2.3.2 Field Research - qualitative interviews 2.3.2.1 Unstructured interview 2.3.2.2 Semi-structured interview 2.4 Data Sources2.4.1 Secondary data 2.4.2 Primary data2.5 Data Analysis 2.6 Frame of reference 3. Porters value chain and value system 3.1 Value chain 3.2 Value system 3.3 Supply chain 3.4 Demand chain 3.5 Value chain & value System vs. supply chain & demand chain 4. e-Business - The e-Volution of business4.1 Internet Revolution vs. e-Business Evolution4.1.1 The case for incremental change4.2 e-Business - A change of paradigms4.2.1 The birth and death of the e4.2.2 The EURO Metaphor4.3 B2B e-Business - t