Final answer:
Intra-industry trade refers to the international trade of goods within the same industry. For indirect materials like office supplies, light bulbs, and cleaning materials, e-marketplaces act as many-to-many exchanges where buyers and sellers from any industry can connect and transact.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intra-industry trade refers to the international trade of goods within the same industry. It involves the exchange of products that are similar and produced by different countries, allowing for specialization and efficiency.
In the case of indirect materials like office supplies, light bulbs, and cleaning materials used by any industry, exchanges like e-marketplaces play a vital role.
These exchanges facilitate many-to-many transactions, connecting various buyers and sellers of these products, regardless of the industry they belong to.
These e-marketplaces serve as a platform for businesses to procure the necessary indirect materials from a wide range of suppliers, ensuring competitive pricing and convenient delivery.