A Framework for the Selection of Electronic Marketplaces: A Content Analysis Approach

Although there has recently been an increased practitioner and media focus on electronic marketplaces, there still remains confusion over the advantages of participation. As a consequence organisations are finding difficulty in developing strategies, policies and procedures in relation to the e-marketplace selection process. In some cases due to the dynamic and evolving environment of electronic trading, there can be a reluctance on the part of buyers and suppliers to participate in e-marketplaces. Several classification models offer assessments of which type of marketplace are most suitable for different procurement purposes, but they fail to remain relevant in this dynamically changing environment. In this paper a content analysis of research and practitioner articles is carried out to evaluate the issues that prospective participants, seeking to purchase goods and services online, need to address in their selection process. A framework to support electronic marketplace related decision making is proposed, which is based within the contexts of business drivers, internal company issues and e-marketplace facilitators.