The impact of e-marketplaces on dyadic buyer-supplier relationships: evidence from the healthcare sector

Abstract

This study seeks to explore the impact of e-marketplaces on dyadic buyer-supplier relationships in the healthcare sector. In particular it seeks to determine if the 'move to the middle' hypothesis put forward by Clemons et al. will be supported in this domain. Case studies of four buying organisations in the healthcare sector (hospitals) and two suppliers (medical device companies), representing eight dyadic buyer supplier relationships were undertaken. It was found that the adoption of e-marketplaces is associated with a reduction in the number of suppliers used by the buying organisations; a deepening of the relationship with the remaining suppliers and an increased 'blurring of the boundaries' between the two parties.