Baltic Journal of Economic Studies (Dec 2020)
THE PRECONDITIONS FOR THE EMERGENCE AND DRIVERS OF MARKETPLACES DEVELOPMENT IN E-COMMERCE
Abstract
The virtual environment is getting closer to the person. From an information field designed for information exchange, it is transformed into a full-fledged business environment. A significant number of business processes today are conducted via the Internet, which necessitates an alternative approach to the organization of key aspects of management. The rapid development of technology leads to the emergence of novel forms of interaction between contractors, increases their range, involves not only manufacturers and buyers but also other companies, including logistics, banking, brokerage, into the processes, which leads to increased overall business activity. Intensification of business interaction leads to the emergence of new business models. In particular, the current stage is characterized by the transition from online stores to marketplaces, which are full-fledged trading platforms where there is supply and demand. The article examines the prerequisites for the emergence of marketplaces as one of the tools of digital marketing and provides a brief description of them. Thus, the analysis of the level of Internet penetration in the world and in Ukraine confirmed the course of digitalization of society. The study of analytical reports made it possible to confirm the rapid spread of access to the network and the involvement in the virtual environment of an increasing number of users in different age groups and from different regions. Such penetration allows to take into account globalization, eliminate barriers to access, and ensure greater involvement of counter-parties in market processes taking place in the network. The analysis of e-commerce indicators has confirmed the assumption that the intensity of use of e-commerce services correlates with the level of the Internet penetration. Joint analysis of the level of the Internet penetration and e-commerce data has revealed the key characteristics of the modern user of the network as a buyer. In particular, to outline his or her behavioral and consumer preferences, note the attitude to advertising, the desired level of service and the need to ensure data confidentiality. Drawing up a portrait of the consumer allows to understand his or her network activity and take it into account in the formation of communication, sales organization and product promotion. Tracking consumer activity also permits making a modeling impact on it, pushing the buyer to certain actions from information to purchase. Assessment of the current situation in Ukraine allows to predict a corresponding increase in activity in the field of electronic sales. The various business models used in e-commerce are considered, and their functionality is depicted. The key factors that led to the emergence of marketplaces are highlighted and the impact of each of them is considered separately. The classification of marketplaces according to different classification features is given and the advantages of use are outlined. The tendency to emergence of new formats of marketplaces and expansion of their functionality is revealed, which significantly increases the possibilities of users from the position of organization of work and ensuring circulation of information flows. The main drivers of formation of marketplaces in the world and Ukraine are singled out. The vector of their development is traced.
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