The study investigates the adoption and future prospects of electronic reverse auctions (eRAs) in the Austrian automotive industry, particularly post-recession. Data from purchasing managers across 20 top-selling companies reveal that eRA usage is low, with minimal spending from adopters. Qualitative insights indicate that eRAs are generally disliked, suggesting they do not significantly contribute to cost savings. The findings imply that traditional buyer-supplier cooperation may be more beneficial for competitive advantage, raising concerns for eRA tool providers if similar trends exist in other sectors.
