Alibaba vs. Ebay: Competing in the Chinese C2C market (B)
This four-part case series follows Taobao, part of the Alibaba Group – the leading business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce company in China – from 2003 to 2006. The A-case begins in April 2003 as Jack Ma, the 39-year-old CEO of Alibaba, worries. According to the latest market data, eBay, the global leader in online auctions had reached almost total dominance of the local consumer-to-consumer (C2C) market – only about a year after its entry into China.
While Alibaba was not active in the Chinese C2C market, and eBay’s expansion did not impact its current business, looking forward, there was cause for concern. What if eBay decided to use its C2C power to attack Alibaba in its traditional B2B domain? Jack wondered if anything could be done to prevent this from happening?
The B-case documents how Taobao competes with eBay in China’s C2C market. It describes Taobao’s strategy to increase its market share. The C-case discusses Taobao’s business model. Although they gained market share at the expense of eBay, the question remains—what business model should they adopt so they can make money in the future? The D-case is an update on the competitors’ strategies and the events that took place between 2006 and 2010.
- How to compete in China’s B2C and C2C internet market
- How local Chinese companies can compete with multinational corporations
- How to build a unique organizational culture
2003-2006
Cranfield University
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Harvard Business School Publishing
60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
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NUCB Business School
1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]
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- Alibaba vs. eBay (D)
- Alibaba vs. eBay: Competing in the Chinese C2C market (A)
- Alibaba vs. eBay: Competing in the Chinese C2C market (B)
- Alibaba vs. eBay: Competing in the Chinese C2C market (B) (Abridged)
- Alibaba vs. eBay: Competing in the Chinese C2C market (C)
- Alibaba vs. eBay (D)
- Alibaba vs. eBay: Competing in the Chinese C2C market (A)
- Alibaba vs. eBay: Competing in the Chinese C2C market (B)
- Alibaba vs. eBay: Competing in the Chinese C2C market (B) (Abridged)
- Alibaba vs. eBay: Competing in the Chinese C2C market (C)
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
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This case study examines the remarkable evolution of Daikin Industries, a company that demonstrated resilience and innovation over nearly a century. Founded in 1924 by Akira Yamada in Osaka, Japan, Daikin originally focused on manufacturing aircra...
This case study examines the remarkable evolution of Daikin Industries, a company that demonstrated resilience and innovation over nearly a century. Founded in 1924 by Akira Yamada in Osaka, Japan, Daikin originally focused on manufacturing aircra...
Daikin’s success in the Chinese air conditioning market serves as a compelling case study in strategic adaptation and collaboration. Following its entry into the market in the 1990s, Daikin faced formidable competition from well-established domest...
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
This case study examines the remarkable evolution of Daikin Industries, a company that demonstrated resilience and innovation over nearly a century. Founded in 1924 by Akira Yamada in Osaka, Japan, Daikin originally focused on manufacturing aircra...
Daikin’s success in the Chinese air conditioning market serves as a compelling case study in strategic adaptation and collaboration. Following its entry into the market in the 1990s, Daikin faced formidable competition from well-established domest...
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
This case study examines the remarkable evolution of Daikin Industries, a company that demonstrated resilience and innovation over nearly a century. Founded in 1924 by Akira Yamada in Osaka, Japan, Daikin originally focused on manufacturing aircra...
Daikin’s success in the Chinese air conditioning market serves as a compelling case study in strategic adaptation and collaboration. Following its entry into the market in the 1990s, Daikin faced formidable competition from well-established domest...
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
This case study examines the remarkable evolution of Daikin Industries, a company that demonstrated resilience and innovation over nearly a century. Founded in 1924 by Akira Yamada in Osaka, Japan, Daikin originally focused on manufacturing aircra...
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Case reference: IMD-7-2514 ©2024
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in I by IMD 25 November 2024
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