Online Auction | Research Proposal Report

Research Proposal Report
Research topic: Online Auction
Student's name
Institution Affiliation(s)

Table of Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Research questions...........................................................................................................................3
General questions.........................................................................................................................3
Specific questions........................................................................................................................3
Conceptual framework.....................................................................................................................4
Literature Review............................................................................................................................5
Consumer confidence...................................................................................................................5
Financial access............................................................................................................................5
Cross-border shopping.................................................................................................................6
Payment methods.........................................................................................................................7
Online Fraud................................................................................................................................8
Methods of victimization in online auctions............................................................................8
Current existing form of Online Auction Fraud.......................................................................9
Enforcement of Consumer Rights..............................................................................................10
Online Consumer Protection: Legislation..............................................................................10
Legal prevention on fraud in online auction..........................................................................11
Methods.........................................................................................................................................11
Significance...................................................................................................................................12
Limitations and delimitations........................................................................................................12
Ethical issues.................................................................................................................................13
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................14
References......................................................................................................................................16
Appendix 1: Reflection..................................................................................................................18
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Abstract
The online auction has been on the rise with giant tech companies such as eBay on the
forefront. However, with the growth in this sector that highly depends on cyber-security
standards to operate, there are many opportunities and threats to the trade. This research aims at
investigating factors that affect the online auction. A literature review will be conducted, and
peer-reviewed sources used in answering the research questions. A qualitative methodology has
been adopted for the study. Results indicate that consumer confidence, online fraud, financial
access and consumer rights all affect the decision making of a buyer in an online auction.
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Introduction
The online auction business is one of the cores of e-commerce ventures. Most online
auctions are usually based on the English system, where the price is increased by interested
buyers, unlike the Dutch system. Online auction is not only interesting in terms of their
commercial purpose but also provide interesting insights to people. The most popular website
offering online auction services is undoubtedly eBay. It is not just a pioneer of the market, but it
can also be considered as a model of e-business (Chan, Li and Yau, 2014). Together with the
payment system PayPal, it has revolutionized commerce and has paved the way for other
business, particularly retail and trading. Online auctions can be used to hire people temporarily.
For example, hospitals can post job circular on hiring nurses mentioning standard wages. The
nursing agencies can post bids (a bit cheaper or equal to the standard but efficient services) to
secure temporary contracts for their nursing services. This research explores the factors that
affect online auction with a specific focus on consumer confidence, enforcement of consumer
protection and consumer rights, financial access including payment methods and cross-border
shopping, online fraud and legal ways to prevent fraud.
Research questions
General questions
What are the factors that affect online auction?
Specific questions
a) What are the current forms of online fraud?
b) How are online consumer protection and consumer rights implemented for an online
auction?
c) What are some of the proper ways to prevent fraud?
d) How does consumer confidence affect buyer's decision-making in an online auction?
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