E-Commerce --
An Ethical Framework for an Electronic World
Todays E-business-Based Marketing System:
Supply Chain > Customized Product Lower Price > Customized Individual Promotion > Market-of-One Customer > Strategic Behavior > Strategic Goal
Environment:
Constant Technological Change
Increased Competitive Pressure
Weakened Political/Legal Influence
Greater Socio-Economic Influence
Views of Ethics- Personal, Organizational, Industry, Societal, Stakeholder
Nature of Ethical Decisions
Being socially responsible and ethical is not easy
Situations are rarely black and white
Have personal implications
Extended or long-term effects
Outcomes will be uncertain
Has positive and negative outcomes
Input Factors:
Individual- key family, literature, life experiences
External- corporate culture, stakeholders, government entities
Situations- Opportunity
Stakeholder concept- A method of looking at ethical relationships by identifying any group or individual who is, or can be affected by the process under scrutiny.
Corporate Culture- the shared values of the organization: symbols, Norms, values
Opportunity- A favorable set of conditions that limit, punish, encourage, or reward ethical/unethical decisions.
Humanistic Worldview Philosophies: Teleological frameworks, deontological frameworks, combination
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Marketing Group questions 5-8
E-commerce questions 5-8
5.) An interstitial ad is a way of placing a full-page message between the current and destination pages of a user. A superstitial ad is a rich media ad that is pre-loaded into a browser’s cache and does not play until fully loaded and the user clicks to another page.
6.) Some reasons that are responsible for the decline in click-through rates of banner ads are the large amount of ads and the response to this from the users. These ads have become one of the most annoying forms of marketing and are not as effective as they once were. Due to the large amount of these ads, users have learned to ignore them.
7.) Some affiliate relationships are called “tenancy deals” because they allow a firm to become a long-term tenant on another site. These differ from pure affiliate deals because it is a longer arrangement.
8.) The issue with paid-placements on search engines is that websites can pay to have their site occur in searches more frequently than others. This is an issue for consumers because large companies have to advantage and flood the results of the search engine and do not allow smaller organizations/sites to be presented.
5.) An interstitial ad is a way of placing a full-page message between the current and destination pages of a user. A superstitial ad is a rich media ad that is pre-loaded into a browser’s cache and does not play until fully loaded and the user clicks to another page.
6.) Some reasons that are responsible for the decline in click-through rates of banner ads are the large amount of ads and the response to this from the users. These ads have become one of the most annoying forms of marketing and are not as effective as they once were. Due to the large amount of these ads, users have learned to ignore them.
7.) Some affiliate relationships are called “tenancy deals” because they allow a firm to become a long-term tenant on another site. These differ from pure affiliate deals because it is a longer arrangement.
8.) The issue with paid-placements on search engines is that websites can pay to have their site occur in searches more frequently than others. This is an issue for consumers because large companies have to advantage and flood the results of the search engine and do not allow smaller organizations/sites to be presented.
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Loopy Ewe
Sheri Berger
She started a scrap booking business which lasted for almost 15 years. When the market for scrap booking began to diminish, she sought out a new opportunity. In a search for a new job, she turned to one of her hobbies and opened an online yarn shop. She struggled at first to find how God would use her through this business. After consulting a friend, she understood that she was supposed to continue to work with her shop. Her friend told her to, “Get over herself and let God use her for his purpose.” She then suggested that she read Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have you declares the Lord.” The company started in her basement with a very small amount of customers. Today they operate out of an 1800 sq. ft. warehouse with several employees. Some of the challenges that have been presented with this business is connecting with customers online and making her store unique.
To explain how they connect with customers, she provided four main questions. The first is how can you find customers or a niche market? The Loopy Ewe found a niche market with the yarn industry. The second question is how to get customer’s that continually need yarn. Many people that begin knitting only stick with it for a certain amount of time. The challenge is to find customers that are consistent with their knitting. The third question is how to maintain customer loyalty. The key is to find customers that come back to your store rather than competitors. This is done by providing high quality products and customer service, as well as keeping up with the competition. Another important part of this is establishing a unique and well designed website. One aspect of the customer service part of the Loopy Ewe is handwritten notes with every order. Another thing they do is give a gift for every order. The website also contains a blog that personalizes the website and makes customers feel like they know the owner more. The fourth question was how to get customers to tell their friends.
The company attempts to involve customers by personalizing the site and asking for feedback continually. The online store even gives information about events or ideas that are going on with the company. The online yarn industry has grown significantly for the Loopy Ewe and it has become a highly productive operation.
She started a scrap booking business which lasted for almost 15 years. When the market for scrap booking began to diminish, she sought out a new opportunity. In a search for a new job, she turned to one of her hobbies and opened an online yarn shop. She struggled at first to find how God would use her through this business. After consulting a friend, she understood that she was supposed to continue to work with her shop. Her friend told her to, “Get over herself and let God use her for his purpose.” She then suggested that she read Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have you declares the Lord.” The company started in her basement with a very small amount of customers. Today they operate out of an 1800 sq. ft. warehouse with several employees. Some of the challenges that have been presented with this business is connecting with customers online and making her store unique.
To explain how they connect with customers, she provided four main questions. The first is how can you find customers or a niche market? The Loopy Ewe found a niche market with the yarn industry. The second question is how to get customer’s that continually need yarn. Many people that begin knitting only stick with it for a certain amount of time. The challenge is to find customers that are consistent with their knitting. The third question is how to maintain customer loyalty. The key is to find customers that come back to your store rather than competitors. This is done by providing high quality products and customer service, as well as keeping up with the competition. Another important part of this is establishing a unique and well designed website. One aspect of the customer service part of the Loopy Ewe is handwritten notes with every order. Another thing they do is give a gift for every order. The website also contains a blog that personalizes the website and makes customers feel like they know the owner more. The fourth question was how to get customers to tell their friends.
The company attempts to involve customers by personalizing the site and asking for feedback continually. The online store even gives information about events or ideas that are going on with the company. The online yarn industry has grown significantly for the Loopy Ewe and it has become a highly productive operation.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Chapter 2 summary
Chapter 2 in our book is focused primarily on business models for ecommerce. The chapter begins by providing eight key elements of a successful business model. These elements are; value proposition, revenue model, market opportunity, competitive environment, competitive advantage, market strategy, organizational development and management team. The chapter then discusses the different business models used with business to consumer ecommerce. These models are; portal, e-tailer, content provider, transaction broker, market creator, service provider, and community provider. The major business to business models used are; e-distributor, e-procurement, exchange, industry consortium, and private industrial network. The chapter then continues to discuss business models in other areas of ecommerce. The final part of the chapter discusses the impact that the internet and web have had on business in the last decade. These aspects of the business environment that have been affected are; industry structure, industry value chains, firm value chains, and business strategy.
Chapter 1 Summary and Questions
Summary of chapter 1
Chapter one of our book gives us a broad summary of e-commerce. It begins by defining e-commerce as the involvement of digitally enabled commercial transactions between and among organizations and individuals. It also explains how this differs from e-business. The chapter then continues to explain e-commerce by presenting eight features of e-commerce technology. These features are; ubiquity, global reach, universal standards, richness, interactivity, information density, personalization and customization, and social technology. The chapter then continues by giving the five major types of e-commerce which are; business to business, business to consumer, consumer to consumer, peer to peer, and M commerce. The chapter then provides a brief history of e-commerce and continues after this by explaining factors in the future that will continue to shape it. Three interrelated themes that are present in e-commerce. These themes are technology, business, and society. The chapter concludes by explaining the academic disciplines that affect both the behavioral and technological approaches to e-commerce.
Question 1:
On your own, please do a quick search of the web and find examples of the five major types of ecommerce described in chapter 1. Explain why it fits the criteria. Provide a link to the url as well.
The five major types of ecommerce are business to business, business to consumer, consumer to consumer, peer to peer, and M commerce. Some examples of these can be found at the following websites:
B2B: Embion, Inc.- http://www.embion.com/
This company sells medical equipment to businesses.
B2C: Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/
This company provides consumer products to retail customers.
C2C: Ebay- http://www.ebay.com/
This site allows consumers to sell used or new items to other consumers.
P2P: Limewire- www.limewire.com/
This music software allows people to share music over the internet.
M commerce: Thumbplay- www.thumbplay.com/
This company provides ring tones and games for cell phones.
Question 2
On your own, choose a popular ecommerce web site, or at least popular with you, and assess it in terms of the eight unique features described in chapter 1. (p. 13) Which parts of these unique features could the site do a better job on?
The eight unique features of e-commerce are; ubiquity, global reach, universal standards, richness, interactivity, information density, personalization and customization, and social technology.
Amazon- http://www.Amazon.com/
Ubiquity- This site is accessible from anywhere with internet access.
Global reach- Amazon allows the purchase and shipment of goods to multiple countries.
Universal standards- Amazon has several international sites that are designed to fit the specific needs of those areas.
Richness – This is one feature that is difficult to assess due to the nature of the site. They are more based on selling products rather than delivering messages.
Interactivity- The site allows consumers to contact the help department if needed and also relays messages regarding products and purchases through text.
Information density- The quality of information present is suffiecient for the purpose of this site. Information is easily and clearly provided to consumers that wish to purchase items.
Personalization and customization- Amazon makes suggestions for individuals based on their past purchases, showing other items that are similar to the customers previously purchased items.
Social technology- Many users are able to access the information provided on this site at the same time. Amazon provides a many-to-many model of mass communication.
Amazon may be able to improve on the richness of the site however the current design allows for adequate communication from the business to consumer.
Chapter one of our book gives us a broad summary of e-commerce. It begins by defining e-commerce as the involvement of digitally enabled commercial transactions between and among organizations and individuals. It also explains how this differs from e-business. The chapter then continues to explain e-commerce by presenting eight features of e-commerce technology. These features are; ubiquity, global reach, universal standards, richness, interactivity, information density, personalization and customization, and social technology. The chapter then continues by giving the five major types of e-commerce which are; business to business, business to consumer, consumer to consumer, peer to peer, and M commerce. The chapter then provides a brief history of e-commerce and continues after this by explaining factors in the future that will continue to shape it. Three interrelated themes that are present in e-commerce. These themes are technology, business, and society. The chapter concludes by explaining the academic disciplines that affect both the behavioral and technological approaches to e-commerce.
Question 1:
On your own, please do a quick search of the web and find examples of the five major types of ecommerce described in chapter 1. Explain why it fits the criteria. Provide a link to the url as well.
The five major types of ecommerce are business to business, business to consumer, consumer to consumer, peer to peer, and M commerce. Some examples of these can be found at the following websites:
B2B: Embion, Inc.- http://www.embion.com/
This company sells medical equipment to businesses.
B2C: Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/
This company provides consumer products to retail customers.
C2C: Ebay- http://www.ebay.com/
This site allows consumers to sell used or new items to other consumers.
P2P: Limewire- www.limewire.com/
This music software allows people to share music over the internet.
M commerce: Thumbplay- www.thumbplay.com/
This company provides ring tones and games for cell phones.
Question 2
On your own, choose a popular ecommerce web site, or at least popular with you, and assess it in terms of the eight unique features described in chapter 1. (p. 13) Which parts of these unique features could the site do a better job on?
The eight unique features of e-commerce are; ubiquity, global reach, universal standards, richness, interactivity, information density, personalization and customization, and social technology.
Amazon- http://www.Amazon.com/
Ubiquity- This site is accessible from anywhere with internet access.
Global reach- Amazon allows the purchase and shipment of goods to multiple countries.
Universal standards- Amazon has several international sites that are designed to fit the specific needs of those areas.
Richness – This is one feature that is difficult to assess due to the nature of the site. They are more based on selling products rather than delivering messages.
Interactivity- The site allows consumers to contact the help department if needed and also relays messages regarding products and purchases through text.
Information density- The quality of information present is suffiecient for the purpose of this site. Information is easily and clearly provided to consumers that wish to purchase items.
Personalization and customization- Amazon makes suggestions for individuals based on their past purchases, showing other items that are similar to the customers previously purchased items.
Social technology- Many users are able to access the information provided on this site at the same time. Amazon provides a many-to-many model of mass communication.
Amazon may be able to improve on the richness of the site however the current design allows for adequate communication from the business to consumer.
Monday, February 18, 2008
These websites are similar to what Wes Rediger is seeking for his company.
http://www.allbusiness.com/business-planning-structures/starting-a-business/12434-1.html
http://companiesgate.co.uk/EUCON+BUSINESS+CONSULTING+LIMITED.aspx
http://www.allbusiness.com/business-planning-structures/starting-a-business/12434-1.html
http://companiesgate.co.uk/EUCON+BUSINESS+CONSULTING+LIMITED.aspx
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
E-Commerce 2/12/08
E-commerce initiatives at Taylor
Rod Ibe and Rob Linnahan
Reasons for E-commerce:
-Ease or convenience
-Constant presence
From organization perspective:
-Save on labor
-No physical store front necessary
-The ability to reach more people-Developing data that shows buying patterns
-Less risk (no checks)
Taylor has a cap on what we are able to do through e-commerce. Credit card fees would be enormous if everyone used them online for transactions with Taylor. Due to increased pressure for Taylor to use e-commerce, they have formed a task force to evaluate the situation. Taylor has decided to use Touch Net, which is able to work with Banner. It has the ability to handle credit card transactions as well as a store front. There are some apprehensions about creating a large e-commerce aspect of Taylor.
Possibilities with E-commerce for Taylor:
-Homecoming weekend events + programming
-Ticket Sales for plays
-Donation transactions
-Transactions with the grille/maybe other restaurants
-The ability to charge items to account using ID card
Rod Ibe and Rob Linnahan
Reasons for E-commerce:
-Ease or convenience
-Constant presence
From organization perspective:
-Save on labor
-No physical store front necessary
-The ability to reach more people-Developing data that shows buying patterns
-Less risk (no checks)
Taylor has a cap on what we are able to do through e-commerce. Credit card fees would be enormous if everyone used them online for transactions with Taylor. Due to increased pressure for Taylor to use e-commerce, they have formed a task force to evaluate the situation. Taylor has decided to use Touch Net, which is able to work with Banner. It has the ability to handle credit card transactions as well as a store front. There are some apprehensions about creating a large e-commerce aspect of Taylor.
Possibilities with E-commerce for Taylor:
-Homecoming weekend events + programming
-Ticket Sales for plays
-Donation transactions
-Transactions with the grille/maybe other restaurants
-The ability to charge items to account using ID card
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