Research on product characteristics affecting the transformation of B2B E-commerce

Licheng Ren, Wenhui Pan 

School of Economics and Management, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China, 030024

With the explosive growth of B2C and C2C Electronic Commerce (EC) in recent years, B2B EC has been tried in many fields, especially many traditional industries with little permeation into B2B EC, were transformed into B2B EC. However, the key factors influencing B2B EC transformation have not been fully investigated. On the basis of relevant literature analysis, product characteristics affecting B2B e-commerce transformation were divided into seven parts in this paper, namely, the product standardization, differentiation, tangibility, intangibility, time sensitivity, substitutability and complexity. Then, the proposed seven aspects were analysed using the method of the objective index weight, so as to obtain the mathematical model for product characteristics affecting B2B EC transformation. Finally, model test was conducted by taking Shanxi Pingyang Industry Machinery Co., Ltd. as an example, hoping the relevant research conclusion can provide references in decision-making for managers and other researches.