Trading is a significant business-to-business service and has been instrumental to the development of global economies (Ellis, 2003). Traditional international trade intermediaries have to perform operational and logistical functions linking suppliers / manufacturers with customers / retailers in different countries. Their typical tasks are sourcing of merchandise, supplier audit and selection, quality control, as well as shipping and distribution logistics management. Such functions are especially critical in situations where buyers and sellers are separated by geographical and cultural distance. In global business environments characterized by product proliferation, cycle time compression, flexible manufacturing and large-scale customization, international trade intermediaries find it increasingly difficult to effect competitive supply chains that meet end customers' needs.
展开▼
