Business Buying Behavior

Read this chapter, which provides an overview of business-to-business buying behavior. This chapter discusses how B2B markets differ from B2C markets, types of B2B buyers, buying centers, and stages of the B2B buying process. The chapter wraps up with a discussion of international B2B markets, e-commerce, and ethics in the B2B market. From this reading, you will learn what a buying center is and will be able to name the members of buying centers and describe their roles. Pay special attention to the concepts of the decision-making unit (DMU) and the purchase process.

The Characteristics of Business-to-Business (B2B) Markets

Review Questions

  1. Why are there more transactions in B2B markets than B2C markets? Why are there fewer buyers?
  2. Explain what derived demand is.
  3. Why do firms experience a bullwhip effect in the demand for their products when consumers demand changes?