The implementation of an electronic market for pig trading in Singapore

Electronic markets have been described as strategic means for altering the structure of industry forces for competitive gains. However, there has been little description of the realities of implementing electronic markets. Further, it has been generally assumed that strategic information technology (IT) initiatives are aimed at competitive business gains within the industry. How IT may be used by government agencies to regulate the structure of industries for social and regulatory purposes has not been explored. Using a case study of Singapore’s Hog Auction Market (HAM), this paper describes the realities of implementing an electronic market to change the pig trading industry for market efficiency and social objectives. The impacts of HAM on the Singapore pig trading industry are described and lessons relevant for implementing electronic markets in other contexts discussed.