Electronic commerce (e-commerce) systems are another type of interorganizational information
system. These systems enable organizations to conduct transactions, called business-tobusiness
(B2B) electronic commerce, and customers to conduct transactions with businesses,
called business-to-consumer (B2C) electronic commerce. E-commerce systems typically are
Internet-based. Figure 1.5 illustrates B2B and B2C electronic commerce. Electronic commerce
systems are so important that we discuss them in detail in Chapter 7, with additional
examples interspersed throughout the text.