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.

International B2B Markets and E-commerce

Review Questions

  1. Name some other industries you're aware of in which companies tend to cluster geographically. Why are the companies in these industries located near one another?
  2. How do B2B exchange sites differ from B2B auction sites?
  3. How can firms that sell their products on the Internet prevent their prices from being driven down by competitors?