Title: A Review of Campus-Based Digital Marketplaces The Case of Unibusiness Platform
Authors: Kelvin John Mollel, Amon Lyimo
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Pages: 108-112
Publication Date: 2026/02/28
Abstract:
The rapid digital transformation of commercial activities has significantly influenced how communities conduct business transactions. While large-scale e-commerce platforms have received substantial scholarly attention, localized digital marketplaces within university campuses remain underexplored. University campuses operate as micro-economic ecosystems where students, staff, and surrounding vendors frequently engage in commercial exchanges. However, these transactions often occur through informal and fragmented channels such as social media and physical trading, leading to inefficiencies, limited business visibility, and increased risk of fraud. This review paper critically examines the development of campus-based digital marketplaces by synthesizing existing literature on e-commerce systems, digital marketplace governance, campus entrepreneurship, and system design frameworks. The paper identifies persistent challenges including lack of centralized trading systems, limited institutional oversight, and inadequate trust mechanisms within campus commerce environments. To address these challenges, the study proposes the Unibusiness conceptual framework, which integrates user verification, product listing, transaction management, and administrative control into a centralized digital platform. The review highlights how Unibusiness aligns with existing theoretical models while filling research gaps in localized digital commerce systems. The paper concludes by recommending future research directions and strategic development approaches for implementing structured campus-based digital marketplaces that enhance entrepreneurship, transparency, and digital transformation within academic institutions.