Emerging Technologies for E-Business and Online Commerce

COURSE OBJECTIVE
BRIDGING THEORY AND PRACTICE
KNOWLEDGE: Demonstrates theoretical and empirical knowledge concerning the relevant areas in international business administration
After successfully completing this course, the student:
• Can discuss, contrast and compare theories and concepts the various aspects of E-business and online commerce discussed in the preceding courses.
• Can describe the most important managerial barriers in E-business and online commerce processes.
• can critically describe and evaluate the pros and cons of applying recent technologies in E-business and online commerce processes.

APPLICATION: Can propose a solution to an international real-life business problem by applying relevant theories and methodologies.
After successfully completing this course, the student:
• can give concrete advice concerning the feasibility and meaningfulness of the use of such technologies and an understanding of how to overcome barriers.

SOCIAL SKILLS – STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE DIFFERENT PROFESSIONAL ROLES IN A CROSS-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT
After successfully completing this course, the student:
• can present (both orally and in writing) on basic/substantive aspects of e-business

COURSE CONTENT
This course focuses on the question how emerging technologies can play a role in supporting organizations’ E-business and online commerce processes. Based on the knowledge gained in the first four courses of this minor, students will conduct a feasibility study concerning a recently emerged technology. They will develop an application and study the possible barriers that could occur in bringing this application to the market. They will develop countermeasures to overcome the identified barriers and to involve the respective peer groups. The technology at hand will be selected by the course coordinators, and will be a technology that newly entered the market .

The analysis will focus on questions like:
- What is the potential value of this technology in supporting organizations’ E-business and online commerce activities?
- What are potential barriers that could hinder or block the roll-out of a technology?
- What are the demands and consequences of applying this technology in terms of consumer interaction, logistics, information systems and other relevant aspects?
- To what extent is applying this technology feasible in terms of costs, benefits, fit with the current enterprise architecture, business processes, consumer preferences, etcetera?

The outcome of this analysis is a business report in which a concrete advice is given in terms of the feasibility of this technology, and sheds light on the different aspects of logistics and fulfilment as well as marketing, technology and data, and insights for the e-business solution. Although academic fundamentals should be applied, this business case has a highly relevant practical component as well.

TEACHING METHODS
Lectures
Tutorials

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Written Assignment - Group Assessment
Presentation - Group Assessment
Participation - Individual Assessment

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students should at least be familiar with the content of 'Introduction to E-business and Online Commerce' and 'Consumer Science for Online Commerce'