Product details

This case focuses upon the lessons for e-commerce strategy and managing growth whilst remaining profitable. The case chronicles eBay''s development from start-up in 1995 to December 2000. It discusses eBay''s development of its community and its focus on its core business as well as their use of alliances to provide value adding services. The case also chronicles eBay''s acquisition strategy and its move to bricks-and-mortar. This case is especially relevant to the growing e-commerce industry where many e-commerce companies do not exist any more and others remain unprofitable. The fact that eBay was profitable from start-up to 2000 was rare in the e-commerce industry and this distinguishes this case study from other dot.com cases. In addition to making profit, eBay has grown to become the world''s largest trading community within 5 years and captured an estimated 80% of the on-line auction market by 2000.