This course covers emerging online technologies, trends and their influence on the electronic business marketplace. Students will learn various revenue models and how to run business on the Web. Next, the course covers online auctions and various legal and ethical issues. Students will learn about important security issues, such as spam and phishing, their role in organized crime, identity theft, and online payment fraud. Finally, students learn how to plan for electronic business.
The course is suitable for anyone with basic business background, however, having technical knowledge about internet technologies will be a huge plus.
Learning Outcomes:
Develop an understanding about the nature of Electronic Business Demonstrate advance knowledge of technical and business issues related to E-Business and E- commerce Recognize business impact and potential of Electronic Business Learn the technologies required to make Electronic Business viable Discuss the trends in Electronic Business and the use of the Internet Explain the economics, social and technical consequences of Electronic Business Gain hands on experience of planning, designing, development and implementation of E- Business project through class project. Discuss current drivers and inhibitors facing the business world adopting and using E-Business
Division of Assessments
Assessment Weight Type Quizzes 10% Individual (Average marks of all quizzes E-Business Analysis 10% Individual Mid Term Exam 25% Individual E-Business Project 20% Group/Team based Final Term Exam 35 Individual
Class Policies
No late assignments/reports will be accepted. No re-sit of exam/quizzes will be allowed until explicitly notified by the Dean. Be on time in the classroom. Usually, you will not be provided with lecture slides. Therefore, it is advised that you must bring your pen, notebook and the text book. You will not be allowed to sit in the classroom without these items. Page 3 of 6
Keep your mobile phone strictly TURNED OFF during class; anyone found using mobile phone in class will deserve to be sent out and will affect his/her class participation marks. Please make sure that you have freed yourself from any thirst and possible necessities before entering the class room. Your friends must not knock or enter the classroom door for while the class is in progress. You will be penalized for your friends action You are highly encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions.
Course Contents
Week Topic Deliverable
1 Welcome to the course & Class introduction Overview of the course objectives and outlines
2 Introduction to E-Business & E-Commerce 3 Technology Infrastructure: The Internet and the World Wide Web Quiz 1 4 Web Server Hardware and Software 5 E-Business Models Part I 6 E-Business Models Part II 7 Business-to-Business Activities: Improving Efficiency and Reducing Costs, Social Networking, Mobile Commerce, and Online Auctions Quiz 2 8 The Environment of Electronic Commerce/Business: Legal, Ethical, and Tax Issues
9 Electronic Commerce Software I. E-Business Analysis Report II. Mid Term Exam 10 Electronic Commerce Security 11 Payment Systems for Electronic Commerce Quiz 3 12 Planning for Electronic Commerce 13 E-Business Strategy 14 Critical Success Factors in E-commerce Quiz 4 15 Project Presentations 16 Project Presentations E-Business Project Due 17 Final Exam Page 4 of 6
Quizzes During every session, students maybe be randomly selected to answer questions from previous sessions and their performance will be marked. The students should also expect written quizzes during the session. The final evaluation of quizzes will be done by averaging the marks of all quizzes.
E-Business Analysis
The overall objective of this assignment is to provide a link between theory and application in E- business strategy. Each student will be required to complete the following tasks:
1. Select an E-business and determine what business strategy it appears to be pursuing. To do this you should:
Examine and analyze the companys web site. Review completely the business periodicals (e.g. Globe and Mail, Business News etc.) and the Internet for articles and information on the company, competition, industry, etc. Determine the type and level of competitive activity in the industry (Porters framework should be used as part of this analysis).
2. Review completely the concepts, E-business models, ideas, thoughts, etc. discussed in the course material. Prepare a report, which could be regarded as an executive summary, (6 pages maximum, double-spaced, excluding reference/appendix) which discusses:
a) The industry structure. b) The E-business model used by the company. c) The competitive activity including a comparison (market share, growth, etc.) of the company and its major competitors. d) The companys apparent marketing strategy. e) The concepts, ideas in the course that you think might be useful for this company. This is an important component of the assignment. There should be strong evidence that you have reviewed the course materials and have thought about the concepts, etc. and whether they are relevant for the E-business
Final written E-business analysis reports are to be submitted, to the course instructor on the midterm exam day.
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E-Business Project
This project will enable you to identify and apply the most basic skill sets required of any business professional. Students will prepare an E-business plan for a real (or a fictional) e-business. Students will work in team of 4. Each group is responsible for selecting an appropriate company / organization which they have access to (or their own venture) develop an appropriate E-business strategy. Instead of focusing on the entire company, the goal of the project would be to focus on a specific value chain.
An outstanding plan will have an in-depth understanding of the market information that could be gained through market analysis and industry analysis. A thorough understanding of the market allows the business professionals to make intelligent choices.
The broad outline is as follows
Company overview Value chains in the organizations - along with identification of customers in each case Select a specific value chain / business process from the above As-Is analysis of the process To-Be analysis of the process Implementation of the To-be process on a website Design and implementation of website store/site Action Plans Estimated Budget
The final written report must not exceed 20 pages (double-spaced) including references etc. 12-point font. Endnotes, appendices, tables and figures required to enhance the report are included in the 20 page total.
Important Each group is required to build a web site. Major components of the website should be created using any tool and remaining parts can be shown using story board. More information regarding this requirement will be provided as the course progresses.
By the end of the semester, you are required to give a presentation of your project and show your accomplishment to the whole class.
Textbooks
The following texts book will be used in the classroom.
1. Electronic Commerce: by Gary P. Schneider, Ph.D., CPA 2. Electronic Commerce: The Strategic Perspective 2008, by Richard T. Watson, Pierre Berthon, Leyland F. Pitt & George M. Zinkhan, Global Text Project 3. "E-Commerce Tutorial" by Tutorialspoint.com Page 6 of 6
Digital versions of these books are available. Other online resources will be available through the course web page.
Students are expected to consult other sources as well to enhance their learning. The instructors shared folder contains a number of other books related to the subject which might be very helpful for enhanced learning.