Clash of the e‐commerce titans: A new paradigm for consumer purchase process improvement
International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management
ISSN: 1741-0401
Article publication date: 14 September 2012
Abstract
Purpose
The motivation for this paper arises from the evolution of the e‐commerce which has provided new means for retailers to serve customers. Pure e‐tailers and clicks‐and‐mortars are two business models of this new paradigm. It aims to study the particularities of pure e‐tailer (Amazon.com) and clicks‐and‐mortars (Walmart) with special focus on their dot com supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
Strengths, weaknesses, oppositions, threats (SWOT), the Five Forces Model and Financial Performance Metrics analyses were used to draw comparisons and contrasts between Walmart.com and Amazon.com supply chains.
Findings
The paper finds that both companies serve their customers effectively through their efficient supply chains; however, due to the infancy of e‐commerce, both business models still face important challenges.
Originality/value
Amazon.com and Walmart.com have different supply chain models, as well as, strengths and weaknesses. They both face the same opportunities and threats as the e‐commerce industry grows rapidly. Analysis shows how lessons from one business entity can be applied to the other in order to bring even more efficiencies to both e‐tailers’ and clicks and mortars’ supply chains.
Keywords
Citation
Kumar, S., Eidem, J. and Noriega Perdomo, D. (2012), "Clash of the e‐commerce titans: A new paradigm for consumer purchase process improvement", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 61 No. 7, pp. 805-830. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410401211263872
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited