Business Relations in Electronic Commerce

The analysis addresses the issues of how businesses interact in the light of continuous maturation of business-to-business e-commerce. Development of cheaper and more standardised information and communication technologies enhances the depth and width of electronic networks, which may lead to tighter or looser business relations. Previous analyses have offered different suggestions as one line suggests that tighter connections evolve leading to electronic hierarchies, whereas another line argues that the loose transaction-based interactions from the market-sphere will dominate. Studies of the value chains in textile and clothing suggest mixed answers. Developments in ICTs and ecommerce offer divergent opportunities to different segments of the industry.