
Creating strong digital B2B channels at industrial companies
B2B firms must consider several key factors before investing into the digital self-service channels that buyers are increasingly demanding.
ISBM at the Penn State Smeal College of Business – Academic Institute supporting B2B Research. Switch to the ISBM-Corporate website.

B2B firms must consider several key factors before investing into the digital self-service channels that buyers are increasingly demanding.

Industrial companies increasingly see the benefit in having robust e-commerce platforms, but several key questions must be asked as they begin advancing into a more digital domain.

Demand centers can provide a valuable service for B2B marketers, but their adoption often requires a redefinition of sales and marketing team roles within organizations.

An omnichannel approach is the way of the future and the way of the present in B2B industries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the creation of B2B e-commerce platforms.

Channel partners play a critical role in the financial performance of suppliers. One way in which suppliers can provide useful information to their channel partners is through partner relationship management strategies. Aguirre et al. 2018 provide recommendations for how these strategies can generate the most engagement amongst channel partners.

While maintaining relationships between different parties proves imperative across business contexts, the task often becomes challenging in the business-to-business (B2B) domain. Perceptions of fairness in retailer-supplier relationships are a key issue in B2B relationships. Due to multiple suppliers often having active relationships with the same retailer, these perceptions can lead to conflicts. Recent research by Lee and Griffith (2019) studied the social comparisons that occurs, and focus on distributive fairness, reference discrepancies, and tie strength.

Our own Stefan Wuyts – Director of the ISBM and Full Professor of Marketing – was recently interviewed by PYMNTS.com on digitalization. The interview covers online platforms, buying groups, and the future (if any) of tradeshows. Whatever the future holds – the B2B buying process will be very different in the future.

One of the research institutes at the Smeal College of Business at Penn State is the Center for Supply Chain Research (CSCR). The CSCR website offers a wealth of COVID-19 resources focused on supply chain management, including weekly presentations and recordings, as well as a curated collection of websites, research, and recordings.

ISBM’s introductory episode of the Marketing in Uncertain Times series was an insightful look at the power of pricing , channels, and B2B Business Strategy during a time of crisis and disruption. ISBM partner and instructor, Ralph Cummins of EMM Group moderated this panel discussion addressing these areas of concern with candid responses of practical advice and foresight. Highlights of this Town Hall include pricing power, ‘Survivalist Entrepreneurship’, and the focus on existing customers.
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