A gray market is an unauthorized distribution channel of genuine branded products. Worldwide gray markets compete with authorized distribution channels of branded products and pose significant challenges to brand owners on the management of global supply chains. Therefore, it is important for brand owners to understand sellers’ and buyers’ behavior in gray markets in order to better address thi...

The online retail sales are expected to reach $191 billion in 2011 from a meager $36 billion in 2001 (Schonfeld 2010). Different business models have emerged with numerous pure-play online players (e.g., Amazon.com) competing with dual-channel (i.e., brick-and-mortar and online channel) firms (e.g., Best Buy and Wal-Mart). Online channel can reduce search costs of buyers (Bakos 1991) and provid...

The online game industry is an emerging entertainment software industry. It is successful and fast growing. Prior studies have identified characteristics of this industry that are distinctive from traditional entertainment industries. Currently one of the most important business challenges this industry faces is securing investments for development or evaluation of development projects. An onli...

This paper examines the impact of YouTube on the video content market. Previous research is examined to determine the scope of the online migration thus far and its effect on the traditional video market (television). Analysis of YouTube’s user data and earnings reveals that YouTube has a monopolistically competitive market structure. YouTube’s user-friendly environment grants consumers greater...

This research, used benefit needs to segment the online marketing market. Focus groups and a random sampling survey were used to search for consumer benefit needs. The online marketing market was then segmented using the benefits sought by consumers. The results showed that the different segments have significant differences in the benefits sought, lifestyles and demographics etc. Thus the bene...

Online auctions are among the most influential e-business applications. Their impact on trading for businesses, as well as consumers, is both remarkable and inevitable. There have been considerable efforts in setting up market places, but, with respects to market volume, online trading is still in its early stages. This chapter discusses the benefits of the concept of Internet marketplaces, wit...

Information and communication technologies have given rise to large-scale online word-of-mouth (WOM) referral networks which allow consumers to share information about products. With a larger online referral network, consumers are exposed to higher volume of WOM. Given the increased amount of WOM, consumers could face more intensified social pressures which would alter their adoption behaviors....