This is a two part assignment. Write a 3-4 page paper in APA format (not including the cover page and reference page).

Part 1: Examine the use of auctions by businesses. Go to any auction site of your choosing and look for outlet auctions or auctions of items directly from merchants.

Research at least three products up for sale. What stage in the product life cycle do these products fall into? Are there quantity purchasing requirements? What was the opening bid price? What are the bid increments? What is the auction duration?

Analyze why these firms have used the auction channel to sell these goods and prepare a short report on your findings.

Part 2: Choose an industry and a B2B vertical market maker that interests you. Investigate the site and prepare a report that describes the size of the industry served, the type of Net marketplace provided, the benefits promised by the site for both the suppliers and purchasers, and the history of the company.

You might also investigate the bias (buyer versus seller), ownership (suppliers, buyers, independents), pricing mechanism(s), scope, focus, and access (public versus private) of the Net marketplace.

Go to eMarketservices.com, click the Worldwide Directory link, choose an industry, and then choose a Net marketplace company within that industry. Also visit the website of the company chosen, and use Google or other search engines to find relevant information in trade, industry, popular journals, and newspapers.

Using these Unit Learning Outcomes:

Differentiate types of social networks and online communities as well as auctions and their business models.

Compare the major types of Internet portals and their business models.

Discuss the evolution and growth of B2B e-commerce, as well as its potential benefits and challenges.

Identify major trends in supply chain management and collaborative commerce.