Comparing the strengths and weaknesses of Internet-based matching mechanisms for the transport market

The deployment of real-time matching mechanisms over the Internet provides many potential advantages. The variety of matching mechanisms makes it difficult to select a proper matching mechanism for a certain context. The research in this paper aims at improving our understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of real-time matching mechanisms from both a quantitative and qualitative point of view. Traders consider the capability to reduce trading times and costs as major requirements for matching mechanisms. Our findings highlight the need for designing matching mechanisms that have predictable outcomes and governing rules that reduce negative effects.