Abstract

"Impact of Web-based E-Commerce on Channel Strategy"

Ruth C. King, Ravi Sen, and Mu Xia

First Author :

Ruth C. King
Business Administration
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1206 S. Sixth Street, M/C 706
Champaign, IL 61820
USA

ruthking@uiuc.edu

http://www.business.uiuc.edu/faculty/king.html

Second Author :

Ravi Sen
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1206 S. Sixth Street, M/C 706
Champaign, IL 61820
USA

ravisen@uiuc.edu

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Third Author :

Mu Xia
Business Administration
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1206 S. Sixth Street, M/C 706
Champaign, IL 61820
USA

mxia@uiuc.edu

http://www.business.uiuc.edu/mxia/

Abstract :

The existing literature and industry trends suggest that web-based channels are fast becoming an integral part of the traditionally offline retailers’ overall channel strategy. This paper takes a game theoretic approach to study the impact of web-based e-commerce on the choice of distribution channel strategy by the retailers. The current practice by most firms is to adopt a multi-channel strategy, which includes both web-based channels and preexisting offline channels. Our analysis validates this trend by identifying it as one of the equilibriums of the game, resulting from the competitive pressure induces by the other retailers. However, a more interesting outcome from our analysis is that there are other possible outcomes.

The other possible outcomes include one where some sellers adopt a coordinated dual channel (i.e., both online and offline) strategy while the others continue selling through traditional offline channels, and another one where all the sellers switch to online channels. The latter outcome is unlikely to occur for industries where traditionally offline sellers have invested heavily in distribution-specific assets. However, it does provide an explanation for new web-based sellers’ reluctance to include offline channels in their overall channel strategy.

Keywords :

distribution, e-commerce, Electronic markets, offline channel, online channels, web-based channels, web-based selling

Manuscript Received : 2002

Manuscript Published : 2002

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