Computing Reviews
Today's Issue Hot Topics Search Browse Recommended My Account Log In
Review Help
Search
Consumer search in electronic markets: an experimental analysis of travel services
Öörni A. European Journal of Information Systems12 (1):30-40,2003.Type:Article
Date Reviewed: Mar 1 2004

Frequently touted advantages to the consumer in electronic markets, including findings that challenge previous predictions, are discussed in this paper. The paper begins with an informative review of the literature. The author then describes an experiment in which subjects were assigned tasks associated with identifying flights and accommodations related to travel to conferences in Hawaii and Brisbane, originating from Finland (their home). The subjects, who were volunteers from a class on electronic commerce, were assigned to groups using either electronic or conventional markets. The subjects kept diaries of their experiences.

The experimental findings are presented methodically, and include the following: the subjects took more time searching for travel services in the electronic market, and, for the most part, the rate of alternatives found per unit time was not significantly different. The electronic markets did not prove to be more efficient in finding cheaper or better services. The paper closes with a discussion of factors in the current travel services industry that may have contributed to the results, and of what the future could hold for this industry.

This is an excellent paper that is well organized and clearly written, contains substantial content, and addresses an important topic. A reader can skim the text and gain insights into the electronic commerce area, and then go back for a more in-depth understanding of the topic, of the design of experiments in general, and of student/classroom studies in particular.

Reviewer:  Jeanine Meyer Review #: CR129164 (0409-1126)
Bookmark and Share
  Featured Reviewer  
 
Electronic Commerce (K.4.4 )
 
 
Web-Based Services (H.3.5 ... )
 
 
World Wide Web (WWW) (H.3.4 ... )
 
 
Online Information Services (H.3.5 )
 
 
Systems And Software (H.3.4 )
 
Would you recommend this review?
yes
no
Other reviews under "Electronic Commerce": Date
Do electronic marketplaces lower the price of goods?
Lee H. Communications of the ACM 41(1): 73-80, 1998. Type: Article
Feb 1 1999
On-line profits
Keen P., Ballance C., Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA, 1997. Type: Book (9780875848211)
May 1 1998
Secure electronic transactions
Loeb L., Artech House, Inc., Norwood, MA, 1998. Type: Book (9780890069929)
Jul 1 1998
more...

E-Mail This Printer-Friendly
Send Your Comments
Contact Us
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.   Copyright 1999-2024 ThinkLoud®
Terms of Use
| Privacy Policy