eMarketplace
Description
An eMarketPlace is an online space set-up by a company or consortium which allows other companies or individuals to get new suppliers or buyers for their products as well as develop trading networks.
Related Methods
Purpose
An eMarketPlace makes negotiating, settlement and delivery easier and more efficient. Trading is based on credits but not necessarily a monetary form. Participants benefit from being able to find everything they need from a range of suppliers in one place.
Category
Decide
Strengths
- Facilitates self-directed management of resources (for example, in adult social care).
- eMarketplaces can provide greater transparency in the purchasing process since availability; prices and stock levels are all accessible in an open environment.
- Time constraints and problems with different office hours for international trade are removed as it is possible to operate on a round-the-clock basis.
- eMarketplaces offer a convenient way to compare prices and products from a single source rather than spending time contacting each individual supplier
- High levels of trust where traders are vetted (e.g. private marketplace).
Weaknesses
- Geared towards simple deals.
- Works to preclude non-technology savvy suppliers
- Relies on third party transaction provider.
Examples
| Name | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Lulu | Online self-publishing and trading system | http://www.lulu.com |
| Task Army | Online outsourcing | http://taskarmy.com/ |
| Freelancer | Freelancing jobs market | http://www.freelancer.com |
| Task Rabbit | Home help market | http://www.taskrabbit.com/ |
Tools
| Name | Link |
|---|---|
| Simpl | http://simpl.co |
Profile
| Item | Descriptor |
|---|---|
| How important is it that you gain insight from your participants, such as statistical reports on participant demography etc? | Not applicable |
| How would you describe the resources you have available to this activity? | Expensive to set-up and maintain |
| How public should the engagement activity be? | Irrelevant |
| To what extent should participants take ownership of the activity? | Just between participants |
| How does the digital engagement activity need to integrate with other activity? | Web based methods only. |
| To what extent do you envisage your intervention in participation? | Irrelevant |
| How important is it to know the identity of the participants? | Good levels of trust are needed for transacting |
| How quickly are results required? | Time and empowerment irrelevant |
| At what stage of your overall project will this engagement activity relate? | Not applicable |
| Are you hoping to engage a particular audience? | Not applicable |
| On what lines are participants likely to be grouped? | Normally theme based (e.g. for specific goods or services) |
| How many people should the activity engage? | Works best with large numbers of participants in order to create choice and competition. |
| Should the activity have an emphasis on getting participants ideas and opinions to diverge, converge, or both? | Not consensus based |