What type of business model does eBay exemplify?

eBay exemplifies the C2C (consumer-to-consumer) electronic commerce business model by facilitating transactions between individual users. On eBay, individuals can list their items for sale and other users, also individuals, can bid on or directly purchase these items. This model enables consumers to act as both sellers and buyers in a marketplace that connects them, utilizing eBay as a platform for these transactions.

The significance of this model lies in its ability to empower consumers, allowing them to monetize their unused goods and providing buyers with access to a broad array of products directly from other consumers. eBay's platform includes features like auction listings and buy-it-now options, further enhancing consumer engagement in trading with one another.

In contrast, other options reflect different e-commerce models. Click-and-mortar refers to businesses that have both an online presence and physical stores, which is not applicable to eBay. B2C electronic commerce involves transactions between businesses and consumers, where a business sells directly to an end user, which does not capture eBay's peer-based selling environment. An online exchange typically involves a platform for businesses to transact with each other rather than facilitating consumer-to-consumer interactions. Thus, the C2C model most accurately describes eBay's core function.