Classroom Syllabus
EC 400
Fundamentals of Electronic Commerce
5 Credit Hours
Effective: Winter, 2009
Instructor: Martina Cesalova, M.S.C.S.
Office: #401; Tel.: Ext. 123
Office hours: TBA
E-mail:
Required Resources
Turban, E., King, D., Lee, J., & Veihland, D. (2006). Electronic commerce 2006: A managerial perspective. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Research Paper Guide. (2004). Trencin, Slovakia: City University. Available for purchase in the library or available for download at http://city-university.t7.iway.sk/en/students/scholastic-honesty/policies-and-procedures/
Access to the Internet is required. All written assignments must be submitted in Microsoft Word-compatible formats.
Copyright 2001-2009 by City University
All rights reserved
EC 400
Fundamentals of Electronic Commerce
This document provides an overview of the course foundation elements, assignments, schedules, and activities. For information about general City University policies, please see the City University catalog. If you have additional questions about the course, please contact your instructor.
Notification for Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability and you require an accommodation, please contact the associate dean as soon as possible.
Scholastic Honesty
Scholastic Honesty City University of Seattle expects each student to do his/her own work. The University has "zero tolerance" for cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on assignments and papers, using "notes" during exams, submitting someone else's work as one's own, submitting work previously submitted for another course, or facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others. The penalties are severe! A first offense can result in a zero grade for the course and suspension for one quarter; a second offense can result in a zero grade for the course and suspension for two or more quarters; a third offense can result in expulsion from the University. The Policy and Procedures may be found at http://city-university.t7.iway.sk/en/students/scholastic-honesty/policies-and-procedures/
In addition to providing your work to the instructor for grading, you must also submit an electronic copy for the City University of Seattle archives (unless the work is specifically exempted by the instructor). You will not receive a grade for particular work until and unless you submit this electronic copy. The procedure for submitting work to the archives is to upload it via the website http://city-university.t7.iway.sk/en/students/on-line-center/uploader/uploader.html . Files should include the cover page of the work with the student name, instructor name, course name and number, and date. File names should indicate the type of assignment, such as “researchpaper.doc”, “casestudy.doc” or “ thesis.doc” (student name should not be a part of the file name because the system adds it). All files received into the archives are submitted to www.TurnItIn.com for plagiarism checking.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce) from a managerial perspective. Areas covered include: Business-to-Consumer, Business-to-Business, Business-to-Employee, and the E-Environment. The course also includes topics such as: E-Commerce intermediaries and business models, technologies that enable E-Commerce; consumer behavior, site design, site promotion, business challenges, and strategies. It will provide students with knowledge of web site use, challenges and strategies for reaching customers, and how E-Commerce works in the business environment today.
Learning Goals
Upon the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. Define E-Commerce and describe its various categories;
2. Describe and discuss the content and framework of E-Commerce;
3. Describe the major managerial issues regarding E-Commerce;
4. Analyze the roles of the intermediaries that enable E-Commerce;
5. Explain the functionality of the key technologies that enable E-Commerce;
6. Compare and contrast the different architectures used for E-Commerce;
7. Explain the different E-Commerce models;
8. Differentiate various types of e-customers;
9. Evaluate various techniques for site design and promotion;
10. Analyze various business strategies used for E-Commerce.
Core Concepts
To achieve the goals of this course, you will need to master the following core concepts:
1. Foundation of E-Commerce;
2. E-Marketplaces;
3. Supply and value chains;
4. Retailing in E-Commerce;
5. Consumer behavior;
6. Advertisement in E-Commerce;
7. Company-centric B2B;
8. Public B2B Exchanges & Portals;
9. E-Supply Chains & Intra-business E-Commerce;
10. E-Government & E-Learning;
11. Building E-Commerce applications;
12. E-Commerce security;
13. Electronic payment systems;
14. Order fulfillment, logistics, and supply chain management;
15. E-Commerce strategies and implementation;
16. E-Commerce Business plan formation;
17. Fundamentals of building a storefront;
18. E-commerce web site design & creation;
19. The regulatory environment of E-Commerce;
20. E-Commerce applications & infrastructure.
Recommended Supplementary Resources
As a City University of Seattle student, you have access to library resources regardless of where and how you are taking this class. To access the resources necessary to complete your coursework and assignments, visit the library menu in the My.CityU portal at https://my.cityu.edu, and the CU Slovakia library home page at http://www.cutn.sk/ .
Search the local library's online catalog to locate books. Search the online databases for journal, magazine, and newspaper articles. Articles that are not available in full text in the library's collection can be requested from other libraries and delivered to you electronically. For additional help, visit the library or submit your question at Contact Us in the Slovakia library web site.
Print Resources
Award, E. M. (2003). Electronic Commerce (2nd Ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Butte, F. (2003). Customer relationship management: concepts and tools. New York: butterworth-Heinemann
Holden, G. (2002). Starting an online business for dummies (3rd Ed.).
Monk, E., & Wagner, B. (2005). Concepts in enterprise resource planning (2nd Ed.). New York: Course Technology.
Sumner, M. (2004). Enterprise resource planning. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Wallace, P. (2004). The internet in the workplace: how new technology is transforming work. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Electronic Resources
The City University Library provides access to a variety of online databases that contain both abstracts (brief summaries) and full text (the complete text) of journal, magazine, and newspaper articles. The following is a partial list of databases that may be of use to you in this course. A complete list can be found by visiting the library menu in the My.CityU portal at https://my.cityu.edu. Contact a librarian by e-mailing if you need help searching or logging in.
The following general Internet World Wide Web resources may be of use to you in this course. Please be aware that Web addresses may change from time to time.
City University Online Databases -- Business Databases, Computer Databases
https://my.cityu.edu
Brint – Knowledge Management
http://www.brint.com/OrgLrng.htm
ClickZ Today
http://www.clickz.com
CRM Today
http://www.crm2day.com/crm_articles/
Ecommerce-Guide.Com
http://ecommerce.internet.com
Ecommerce Times
http://www.ecommercetimes.com
Informit
http://www.informit.com/articles/index.asp?st=41461&rl=1
InfoWorld
http://infoworld.com
KM Frequently Asked Questions – University of Texas at Austin
http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/kman/answers.htm
Knowledge Management
http://www.destinationkm.com/
Internet World
http://iw.com
PC Magazine
http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag
Overview of Course Activities and Grading
The grade you receive for the course will be derived using City University’s decimal grading system, based on the following:
Assignments
Lab Assignments (two equally weighted) / 25%Case Analysis / 15%
Tests (two equally weighted) / 25%
EC Store Project / 20%
EC Store Project Presentation / 15%
TOTAL / 100%
Please see the current City University catalog or consult your instructor for guidance in determining your decimal grade.
Explanation of Assignments and Grading
Lab Assignments
To fulfill the requirements of this course, you will need to successfully complete two practical assignments. These assignments will demonstrate your knowledge of Internet technology that pertains to E-Commerce, computer skills, and your knowledge of the practical course content. The first assignment will focus on the topics covered in the first three weeks and the second will focus on topics covered in the fifth and sixth week. (Exact topics will be specified by instructor.)
Grading Criteria for Lab Assignments
Implementation of course concepts / 25%Following the given instructions / 20%
Professionalism / 30%
Validity & completeness of the outcome / 25%
TOTAL / 100%
Case Analysis
Your instructor will give you guidelines to use in selecting a case for analysis. A case analysis is designed to help you sharpen your analytical skills. The strongest way to analyze a case is to apply a variation of the scientific method. This method of analysis is simply a logical approach that usually includes the seven steps outlined below.
Step 1: Problem Definition
A case seldom involves one clear-cut problem. Your task is to:
· Determine the symptoms which require immediate attention.
· Identify the fundamental issues and causal factors giving rise to these symptoms.
It is important to separate the immediate problems from their more basic sources. For example, the immediate problem may be a high rate of absenteeism, while the more fundamental issue may be a poor motivational climate. How you define a problem determines how you go about solving it. A short-term solution for absenteeism is likely to be different from solutions that attempt to deal with motivational climate. Be sure to identify both the symptom and, more importantly, its underlying cause.
Step 2: Justification for Problem Definition
In this step you need to review the information you have about the problem. You may need to make some inferences to fill in gaps. Clearly label what is inference and what is factual. Do not be afraid to assume, but clearly state the assumptions you are making. You should make assumptions on the basis of your knowledge of typical managerial practices, and they should be consistent with the facts about the case, even though your facts may be somewhat limited. Managerial decisions are often based on limited information. In fact, practicing managers find that many of their decisions have to be made quickly on the basis of limited information.
Step 3: List Alternative Courses of Action
Be creative. Jot down ideas as they come to you. List as many ideas as you can without evaluating them or censoring anything. You can always cross them out later. The point is to let your imagination take over.
Step 4: Evaluate Alternatives
Look critically at the alternatives you came up with in Step 3. List advantages and disadvantages of each alternative in terms of criteria that seem appropriate.
Step 5: Review
Reread your notes and think. This may be a good time to let the case sit for a while. Get back to it later when you have a chance to digest all the data.
Step 6: Draw Conclusions, Make Recommendations/Decisions
Select the alternative you would recommend and explain/justify your choice. Include specifics about the implementation of your recommendation: who should do what, when, and how.
Step 7: Follow Up and Evaluate
Given the limitations of a classroom setting, you cannot implement your recommendation and evaluate its actual impact. However, in this step you will describe how you would set up an evaluation procedure. Suggest a timetable and methods for the evaluation process. State who should do the evaluating.
Source: Myers, T., & Myers, G. (1982). Managing by communication: An organizational approach. New York: McGraw-Hill Book.
Grading Criteria for Case Analysis
Integration of course concepts / 25%Completeness of analysis / 30%
Logically supported conclusions, recommendations / 25%
Sufficient bibliographic support / 10%
Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax / 10%
TOTAL / 100%
Tests
You should be prepared to answer a variety of types of questions pertinent to the concepts covered in or suggested by the course materials, assignments and activities. Your instructor may provide you with additional information about the content, style, and grading criteria of tests in this course.
Grading Criteria for Essay Questions on the Tests
Clear grasp of major issues posed by the question / 20%Valid arguments; appropriate supportive detail / 20%
Appropriate analysis, evaluation, and synthesis / 20%
Demonstrated ability to employ terms, concepts, and frames of reference from texts, lectures, and other course materials / 20%
Proper organization and logical flow of responses / 20%
TOTAL / 100%
EC Store Project –Business Plan Outline
Using the EC Store Project assignment description, provide 3-4 paragraphs summarizing your product concept/idea for the EC Store Project and an outline of your business plan. This outline is not graded, it is so your instructor can provide you with feedback and ensure students are on the right track.
EC Store Project
You will be developing a new online business using FrontPage. The objective of this project is to develop (in a limited way) an E-Commerce business using what you've learned and applying it through the decision-making processes necessary.You will also need written documentation to support your online store (see outline below). There are two parts to this assignment: E-Store and Business Plan.
The following information about your business/store should be included in a business plan proposal:
· Identify a viable business or store and include a justification for it;
· Choose a name for your EC Store;
· Create a Mission Statement, Goals, and Vision for your product concept;
· Identify your target customers and their wants and needs (what would motivate them to purchasing from your store?);
· Who is your competition?
· How will you advertise or communicate your business to customers?
· What payment system options will you accept?
· What might be your supply chain management (who might be your vendors)?
Your web site should include:
· 7 sections or categories or departments minimum;
· 10 products with some graphics and detailed info;
· Pricing information;
· Contact information;
· “About” section with Mission Statement, Goals, and Vision (can include history, etc.);
· Interactive online shopping site (developed in a limited way);
· Dynamic elements (designed by e.g. JavaScript);
· Clear navigation (using 2nd level hyperlinks);
· Evidence of design, aesthetics, and usability considerations.
You will turn in the following:
· Business Plan;
· EC Store Project created using: MS FrontPage
Grading Criteria for EC Store Project
Integration of course concepts / 15%Originality and professionalism / 25%
EC Store web site concept and design / 35%
Business Plan – written documentation supporting EC Store / 25%
TOTAL / 100%
You must upload the business plan!
EC Store Project Presentation