Kontingenční pohled na úsporu v reverzních elektronických aukcích

Abstract

This dissertation thesis is focused on reverse electronic auctions (e-auctions) as a part of company’s purchase strategy. The result of the e-auction (financial savings) are examined upon the fulfilment of certain factors. The conditions of each e-auction are considered, as the contingency theory point of view is used as a theoretical foundation of the thesis. The motivation for this approach is based on the conflicting results of e-auction in the day-to-day practice, despite the fact that the e-auction academic research is quite mature. The main aim of this thesis is to identify which factor under what circumstances influence the result of the e-auction. Partial aims are to examine whether the method of calculating the results and the subject of the e-auction (diversified product or commodity) affect the influencing factors. Previous research on e-auctions is summarized in the systematic literature review part, including the factors influencing results. Methods of data collection and statistical analysis in the literature are also discussed. In the methodical part, the data and methods of statistical analysis used in this thesis are described. The data are secondary, coming from real e-auctions conducted in the Proe.biz system in the years 2011-2014. The database consists of more than 14 000 e-auction cases after data editing. In the research, following factors are analysed: value of the e-auction, number of participants, number of bidders, number of items, number of price changes and number of prolongations. Correlation analysis, regression analysis and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA tests are the main statistical methods used. The findings from the research illustrate that the influence of the factors varies greatly based on the method of savings calculation. The median also varies for diversified products and the commodities when using the savings based on initial price (savings for commodities being lower – the literature suggests opposite). The difference in savings for commodity types was not statistically significant. Some of the results of this dissertation prompt at least partial re-thinking of the e auctions research field. Using contingency approach, some of the long-standing e-auction paradigms are seen as not always valid.