Abstract This paper explores the effects of the opening of the French auction market to foreign auction houses on local French auction houses, the international auction market and the French art market in general. Specific problems that are investigated in include the impact of the French auction market reform on local French auction houses and whether they have thrived in competition with their larger international counterparts.It also looks into related issues, such as whether the change in French legislation has led to the export or import of more works of art into France for sale and whether the high taxes and stringent regulation regarding the sale and exportation of works of art from France offset any increase in the market share that would have come from the liberalization of their auction market.
Outline:
Introduction
Background Information
A Brief History of the Auction Market in France
Changes Brought By the Reform
Impact of the Reform
Conclusion
From the Paper "Ever since the profession of auctioneer was invented in France, some five hundred years ago, they have been government officials, a kind of civil servants appointed by the Ministry of Justice because the art auctioning business was viewed as a public service just like justice and internal affaires. This monopoly was established by a royal edict of Henri II in 1556. All the profits from the activity went to the French state. All these authorized auctioneers were holding a monopoly over the art sales that were conducted on the French market. They were not only controlled and appointed by the government, they are actually considered to be government officials. "
This paper addresses eBay Live Auctions. It discusses what eBay auctions are, how to participate, how to register to be part of the eBay auctions, how to bid from a computer, what are corrigenda, and trouble shooting when it comes to eBay auctions.
2,650 words (approx. 10.6 pages), 12 sources, 2002, $ 97.95
Abstract This paper addresses eBay Live Auctions. It discusses what eBay auctions are, how to participate, how to register to be part of the eBay auctions, how to bid from a computer, what are corrigenda, and trouble shooting when it comes to eBay auctions. How to contact the seller after the sale is important once the bid is accepted.
Tags: BUSINESS / BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY, the ebay auction
Abstract This paper examines how Yahoo! Auctions is currently within the online auction segment of the electronic retail industry. It looks at how it started in 1998 as a free service offering the ability to post auctions without a service charge. It analyzes how, in order for Yahoo! Auctions to increase their market share, they must first get their financial in order and how, the excess properties that Yahoo! Auctions has should be considered for divestiture. It also discusses how the next phase would be the identification of certain market segments that can either generate high user volume or capital in listing fees.
Outline
Introduction
Executive Summary
Business Case
Brief History: Timeline
Mission Statement
External Assessment
General Environment
Industry Analysis: Industry Attractiveness
Economic Structure
Porters Five Forces
Strategic Group Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Internal Assessment
Organizational Structure
Value Chain Analysis and Identification of Core Competency
Financial Ratio Analysis
SWOT Analysis
Recommendations
Managerial Implications
Epilogue
From the Paper "The online auction industry, a segment of electronic retail is currently a monopoly. Ebay.com controls 69% of the market share with its closest competitor in the industry being Ubid.com with 14%. Even with this, Ubid.com has a different niche than Ebay.com by appealing to business-to-consumer transactions. Therefore, the closest competitor is Amazon or Yahoo! Auctions which do not even account for a quarter of the market. The reason that this monopoly is allowed to continue is because Ebay.com does not restrict any trade within the industry. There is room for new entrants but they too, must find a niche in order to gain entry."
Abstract This paper discusses various aspects of auction theory and practice. Various types of auction are described with their solutions. A brief discussion of relevant theory is presented. Some recent real-life auctions are observed. In conclusion a brief discussion of what contributes towards a successful auction is included.
From the Paper "Auction design can play a critical role in the success of an auction. Recent mobile phone spectrum license auctions in Europe and other examples serve to highlight this point. In 2000 six European countries auctioned off spectrum licenses for "3G" (third-generation) technology mobile phones. UK and German auctions generated the huge level of revenues that had been predicted while Austria, the Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland all suffered significant problems in lost revenues and accusations of collusion. Klemperer (2002) points out several reasons why poor auction design contributed to these failures."
Abstract The paper discusses the traditional initial public offering (IPO) allocation processes and explains that the banks intentionally restrict investment participation, set a low price that will ensure a big short-term gain for their favored customers and charge high fees to the company going public. The paper looks at Google and Morningstar's alternative process of a Dutch auction and examines the risks involved. The paper notes that supporters of auctions claim that they help raise more capital for a company and are fairer for small investors. Yet, the paper shows that there is no evidence that efficient pricing results from an auction process. The paper shows how even in Google's auctions, large, favored investors and the insider club obtain an edge in the investment process. Further, the paper warns there may be additional adverse outcome risks from auctions.
From the Paper "There's no conclusive evidence to support the theory that auctions serve as efficient pricing mechanisms for IPOs. According to Hensel (2005), the increase between Google's offer price and its open price was much greater than the increase for IPO's using traditional allocation processes in 2004. The price rose by nearly eighteen percent its very first day. In contrast, eighty-three percent of the IPOs issued between January and November 2004 experienced less of a jump from the offer price to the open price than Google did. Furthermore, the Google share price continued to soar in the following months to a high of $216.80."
An analysis of the article ?Selling Spectrum Rights,? by John Macmillan, discussing the game theory behind the FCC's decision of auction-process in the sale of spectrum rights.
Abstract The paper reveals the problems inherent in the article such as the article being written before the auction taking place. The paper criticizes Macmillan for making profits his primary source of concern while emphasizing that the motivation behind this sale is not monetary. The paper notes a flaw in Macmillan's argument regarding efficiency being of paramount importance. The paper shows how the other goals discussed are mere covers for the desire to produce revenue.
From the Paper "If the FCC were actually concerned about efficiency, minority ownership, preventing monopolies, and promoting the best usage of these spectrum for the sake of the people, it could have mirrored an auction such as the one in Argentina. This nation auctioned off its licenses not to the highest bidder, but to the company which could set up an efficient, goal driven system in the least amount of time."
Abstract This paper describes how on-line auctions are a form of peer-to-peer (P2P) networking in which the on-line auction serves as the transaction forum, but is not directly involved in the transaction. Consumers who use on-line auctions must place trust in the trade and trust in the trader. This requires that an on-line auction e-company must have solid policies and procedures to resolve disputes between buyers and sellers. The process of resolving disputes on on-line auction websites follow a series of steps, as outlined in this paper. A flow-chart diagram of the steps is included.
From the Paper "The process for a seller to sell an item on an online auction is parallel to the buyer's process. The seller locates an item he or she would like to sell and researches similar items on eBay to find its potential value to bidders. The seller also decides which category the item best fits and then lists the item using eBay's "Sell Your Item" form. This takes the seller to a step-by-step process where the seller describes the item, posts pictures, and sets a starting price for the auction. When the auction ends and the item was won by a buyer, the buyer pays for the item and its shipping costs using a tool such as PayPal."
Abstract Recently, Yahoo! announced to its customers its decision to close down the Australian online auction site 'sold.com.au', handing it over to its auction rival, eBay. In relation to project closure and IT management, this paper reviews Keith Regan's article, "Yahoo! Concedes Down-Under Auction Market to eBay".
From the Paper "Any online business needs good project management strategies to win better online attractions. Being "online" would mean the need to implement the best state-of-the-art techniques an I.T. project management can. After all, being in the "online" market is a product of being in ?I.T.?. To get good project returns, delivery of good project management is essential because "online" competition is tough, due to a continuous growth of online market."
Abstract This paper looks at how online auctions are among the most popular e-commerce destinations on the Web and how eBay in particular has revolutionized the online auction market around the world. It presents a case study to discuss the success of the eBay phenomenon, its business model, competitors, alliances, technologies and recommendations for the future.
Outline
Introduction
Business Model
Technologies
Competitors
Acquisitions and Alliances
Customer Protection
SWOT Analysis
Porters Force Analysis
Recommendations
Summary
Bibliography
From the Paper "eBay makes the majority of its money by taking a small percentage of each transaction, which is a maximum of 8% of the total value (eBay, 2003). eBay has two main mechanisms for charging fees ? a listing fee which is paid regardless of whether or not the item is sold and a sale fee which depends on the final sale price. For buyers it's an attractive market place, with no fees charged for browsing or purchasing any goods. The eBay auction site is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
Abstract This seven-page undergraduate paper explains the effect of online auction sites using Information Systems to assist potential bidders. Online auctions that match sellers and buyers for numerous, diverse, and sometimes quite unusual items are a big hit among Internet users of all types.
Abstract This paper presents an overview of the popular auction website, eBay, claiming that eBay has transformed traditional businesses through technology and understanding consumer needs. The paper describes the site's activities and examines the current trends of the site. The future marketing strategies of the site are discussed in an effort to maintain eBay's monopoly of the online auction industry.
From the Paper "eBay was founded in 1995 by Pierre Omidyar as "AuctionWeb", part of a larger personal site that included, among other things, Omidyar's tribute to the Ebola virus (Wikipedia, 2004). The site belonged to Echo Bay Technology Group, Omidyar's consulting firm. He had tried to register the domain name "EchoBay.com" but found it already taken, so he shortened it to his second choice, "eBay.com". eBay is headquartered in San Jose, California. Meg Whitman has served as eBay's president and CEO since March 1998."
Abstract This paper discusses William Faulkner's "Spotted Horses", which revolves around an auction where Flem Snopes sells some wild, good for nothing, horses to farmers of a Southern village. It examines how the character of Flem plays the most important but very short role in the story while other characters including that of Eck Snopes, Mrs. Littlejohn and Henry Armstid play longer more influential role in depicting the forces of good and evil. It looks at how though "Spotted Horses" discusses an individual isolated case where wild ponies are sold to unassuming farmers and this gives rise to some truly hilarious situations, it has many characters which infiltrate from other stories too.
From the Paper "Faulkner has always been concerned with the subject of good and bad, but it is not exactly easy to detect these forces in his stories because of the fact that they are often obscured between the lines and can be seen in various symbols. In spotted horses we come across the universal conflict that we notice in almost every short story by the author. Snopes and Sartoris are shown as representatives of two separate worlds his works and they symbolize good and bad and traditional and non traditional."
Abstract The paper discusses the operations of the e-tailer, Ubid.com. It discusses the company's policy of selling brand-name merchandise at up to 70 % off the retail price by live-auction bidding.
From the Paper "Background
uBid.com is a leading retail auction and e-commerce site which offers a wide range of brand-name merchandise at up to 70 percent off the retail price by live-action bidding (ubid, 2002). They offer a rotating selection of over 12,000 brand ..."
Abstract This paper examines how eBay, the world's leading online auction site, created an entirely new marketplace in which it continues to do business. It looks at how eBay maintains its leadership position by continuing to focus on key success factors in its business model, including providing an entertaining trading environment and establishing a cost-effective, convenient trading system. It also discusses how, for eBay to continue its success, it will need to upgrade technological capabilities, expand into more international marketplaces, and maintain the traditional values and community culture that built the eBay brand image.
Outline
Executive Summary
Strategic Issues to be Addressed by Management
Internal Situation
External Situation
Recommendations to Management
References
From the Paper "ebay's business model has six elements key to the company's success (eBay corporate, 2004). First is their position as the largest online trading forum. With 105 million registered action users (eBay, Inc., 2004) and revenues in 2005 expected to reach over $3 billion no other online auction site comes close to competing with eBay (Economist, 2004). Second and third are eBay's focus on providing an entertaining trading environment and establishing trust in its user base through fraud prevention programs. Fourth, is continuing to establish a cost effective convenient trading system. Fifth, is maintaining the community focus that has been part of eBay's philosophy since its inception. Finally, eBay sees maintaining a website that is easy to navigate (Thompson and Strickland, 2003)."
Abstract This paper examines how Chapters and eBay have both successfully implemented an e-business model and how while Chapters decided on a traditional online retail business model as an extension of its offline business, eBay came up with a unique online auction concept. It looks at how the two companies had to take a different approach to involving customers, establishing trust, safety and security online, managing inventory, building customer loyalty and managing growth from an information systems perspective as a result of their different situations.
Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
Chapters
Internet Business Model
Challenges
Hindsight ? What Should They Have Done Differently?
eBay
Internet Business Model
Challenges
Hindsight ? What Should They Have Done Differently?
Chapters and eBay - How do they differ?
Inventory Systems
User Involvement
Trust, Safety, Security
Reliance on the Internet
Employee Interaction with Technology
Managing Growth from an MIS Perspective
Customer Loyalty
Mass Customization of Site Design
Implications
Conclusions
References
From the Paper "With use of the Internet on the rise, a new channel for conducting business has been opened up. In recent years, e-commerce and e-business have emerged as a relatively new means of developing a business model. This paper specifically examines the implementation of an internet business model at two prominent companies: the exclusively online eBay, and the "clicks and bricks" Chapters (now a member of the Indigo Books and Music Inc.). A pure-play internet firm, eBay utilizes an online auction business model, providing a platform for buyers and sellers to efficiently exchange goods and services. Chapters.Indigo.ca is the online component of the traditional Chapters and Indigo retail stores and acts as a virtual storefront and online catalogue for consumers."
