Measuring the Strength of Partner Relationship in B2B EC: An Exploratory Research

In the wake of information technology (IT), business model is taking a paradigm shift. Electronic commerce is an emerging business model that streamlines the operations of a business and results in efficiency and profitability. In addition to the increased dependency on information technology, changes in management will be needed to maximize the effects of electronic commerce. The concept of supply chain management (SCM) tells management to utilize the new found capabilities of IT integration and information sharing between business partners. The concept reveals that a connection beside the tangible IT link should exist to bind a business with its suppliers and customers tightly. Businesses should have a good relationship with their business partners to increase the total revenue. In this research, we are trying to find the critical bonds between business partners. After identifying the bonds, we can use them to categorize partner relationships and differentiate the degree of integration between business partners.