Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on POTENTIAL BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF ONLINE DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3-page paper examines the move from some traditional retailers to online distribution channels, the pros and the cons, and how to make the transition. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_MTonlinepc.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
and setting up a distribution channel to handle sales, involves a great deal more than simply putting up a Web site, promoting it, and raking in the cash. Going online
in a direct-to-consumer capacity effectively puts the customer in direct touch with the manufacturer, while eliminating the intermediary (Hanson and Kalyanam, 20076). Hanson and Kalyanam point out, and quite rightfully,
that going online puts the company in direct touch with the consumer - and many companies arent set up to handle interactive communications.
The truth is, companies can expect benefits from online direct sales, but need to be aware of potential channel conflicts. For example, companies used to dealing with bricks and
mortar types of stores could find those brick and mortar sales falling as more and more people turn to online catalogues for their shopping.
Then there is the other side of the coin - namely, the assumption that customers will automatically adopt and use distribution via the Internet. But Eric Clemons, professor
of operations and information management at Wharton School of Management, asks, for example, what would happen if a food distributor bypassed traditional channels like grocery stores and sent food directly
to the customers (Knowledge@Wharton, 2001). At first, customers would flock to such a system - the Internet-savvy ones, at any rate. But physical products have to be delivered, at a
time and place convenient for the customer, and many of those groceries require refrigeration or some other kind of specialized handling (Knowledge@Wharton, 2001). For packaged goods, there needs to be
a significant fixed cost for delivery - without it, distribution costs would be very high (Knowledge@Wharton, 2001). Many Internet food delivery
...