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Assessment Task – Tutorial Questions Unit Code: HC3152-T2-2020 Unit Name: e-Business Applications Assignment: Tutorial Questions Assignment [1 Attempt Only] Due: 11:59pm 12th October 2020 Weighting: 50% Purpose: This assignment is designed to assess your level of knowledge of the key topics covered in this unit Unit Learning Outcomes Assessed: On completion of this unit students will be able to: 1. Evaluate theoretical and practical knowledge of Information Technology models and strategies for e-business. 2. Critically analyse information technology issues for e-business and provide solutions to these issues using their knowledge of information technology and practical techniques in e-business applications. 3. Apply theoretical and practical knowledge of Information Technology in the leverage and adoption of e-business applications to provide competitive advantage and strategic solutions for businesses. 4. Demonstrate research skills using academic literature and integrating ideas from the literature to the information technology issues in e-business and in preparation for life-long learning. 5. Understand the ICT profession in e-business 6. Communicate using effective oral and written communication tools, act in a professional manner, be an effective team member or team leader 7. Review and describe the major privacy, legal, ethical and societal issues with respect to managing digital information and e-business Description: Each week students were provided with interactive and self-study tutorial questions of varying degrees of difficulty. The tutorial questions are available in the Tutorial Folder, for each week, on Blackboard. The Interactive Tutorials are designed to assist students with the process, skills and knowledge to answer the provided tutorial questions. Your task is to answer a selection of final tutorial questions developed from weekly lecture videos and tutorials, from weeks 1 to 11 inclusive, and submit these answers in a single document. You must write in your own words and include in-text citation, with a reference list at the end of your total submission document. Typically, you will write about 250-300 words per whole question, unless given other instructions, in the question. You should include at least 1-2 peer-reviewed and other references per question. You may use tables and other forms of graphics, to form your solution. Tutorial Question Assignment HC3152-T2-2020 Question 1: (7 Marks) While there are many e-business models that have been identified, and are still successful, many entrepreneurs, are looking to enter the online e-commerce market, with updated e- business models. Briefly describe the following newer 2020 e-commerce business models, and identify any advantages or disadvantages. 1. Private Label 2. White Label 3. DropShipping 4. Print-on-Demand 5. Wholesaling Question 2: (7 Marks) Authors such as Michael Porter, identified five main competitive forces that may impact a company’s’ ability to grow and survive. While this framework is based around traditional brick-and-mortar stores, they can be related to the 21th century, e-business world. Answer the following 2-part question: Part A: With the above background, identify 3 competitive threats applied to e-business on the buy-side (upstream supply chain), and also 2 competitive threats from the perspective of the sell-side (downstream supply chain). Provide a brief explanation, how and/or why, each competitive threat, could impact a business. [5 marks] Part B: Briefly describe how a company like Amazon, is both a buy-side and sell-side enterprise, and how this could be interpreted as anti-competitive (2 Marks). Question 3: (7 Marks) When a business decides to expand into a new overseas market, it is important for the business to develop its’ supply chain to improve operational success. In terms of “Distributors” to be used by your business (in the new market), identify 7 actions or selection procedures, in determining how your business would select or identify the best distributor. For each action or selection, provide a briefly explanation, including how this would improve operational success. Question 4: (7 Marks) While it is important to identify successful strategies when constructing an online presence, it is also valuable to understand why a poorly developed e-business strategy can lead to a business failing. Moreover, this can apply to both new start-ups and traditional brick-and-mortar stores. With this in mind, you are to briefly describe and discuss the following 5 failed e-business start-up strategies. 1. Timing errors: 2. Lack of creativity 3. Offering free services 4. Over-ambition: 5. Implementation Question 5: (11 Marks) For each of the following parts of Question 5, write about 150 – 200 words per discussion question. 1. Discuss the following statement with reference to how an organization should react to the Internet. ‘Is the Internet a typhoon force or a light breeze’. Can these forces fundamentally alter your business model?’. (4 marks) 2. Suggest how an organization can evaluate the impact of the Internet on its business. Moreover, examine this in terms of the current pandemic and lockdowns. (4 marks) 3. What are the main barriers to adoption of e-commerce by consumers and suggest how a company could counter these forces. (3 marks) Question 6: (11 Marks) Read the following Case Study and then answer the questions proceeding it. Write about 150- 200 words per answer. Case Study CISCO SYSTEM'S CONNECTION ONLINE Customer Service Cisco began providing electronic support to its business in 1991 using value-added networks (VANS). The first applications offered were software downloads, defects diagnoses, and technical advice. In spring 1994, Cisco moved its system to the Web and named it Cisco Connection Online (CCO). (Not to be confused with Cisco Learning connection, which is related to e- learning at Cisco, see Chapter 5.) By 2004, Cisco's customers and reseller partners were logging onto Cisco's website over 2 million times a month to receive technical assistance, place and check orders, or download software. The online service has been so well received that nearly 85 percent of all customer service inquiries and 95 percent of software updates are delivered online. The service is delivered globally in 16 languages. CCC is considered a model for B2B success, and several books have been written about it. Online Ordering by Customers Virtually all of Cisco's B2B products are made to order. Before (CO, ordering a product was a Lengthy, complicated, and error-prone process because it was done by fax or by "snail mail." Cisco began deploying Web-based commerce tools in July 1995, and within a year its Internet Product Centre allowed users to configure and purchase any Cisco product over the Web. Today, a business customer's engineer can sit down at a PC, configure a product, and find out immediately if there are any errors in the configuration (feedback is given by intelligent agents). By providing online pricing and configuration tools to customers, 99 percent of orders are now placed through CCC), saving time for both Cisco and its customers. Tracking Order Status Each month Cisco used to receive over hundreds of thousands of order-status inquiries such as, "When will my order be ready?" "How should the order be classified for customs?" "Is the product eligible for NAFTA agreement?" "What export control issues apply?" Cisco provides self-tracking and FAQ tools so that customers can find the answers to many of their questions by themselves. In addition, the company’s primary domestic and international freight forwarders update Cisco's database electronically about the status of each shipment. CCO can record the shipping date, the method of shipment, and the current location of each product. All new information is made available to customers immediately. As soon as an order ships, Cisco notifies the customer via e-mail. Benefits Cisco reaps many benefits from the CCC) system. The most important benefits include: Reduced operating costs for order taking. By taking its order process online, Cisco has saved several hundred dollars per year, or approximately 20 percent of its total operating costs. This is due primarily to increased productivity of the employees who take and process orders. Improved quality. The system facilitates Cisco's Six Sigma mission. Enhanced technical support and customer service. With more than 90 percent of its technical support and customer service calls handled online, Cisco's technical support productivity has increased by 250 percent per year. Reduced technical support staff cost. Online technical support has reduced technical support staff costs by roughly $125 million each year. Reduced software distribution costs. Customers download new software releases directly from Cisco's site, saving the company $180 million in distribution, packaging, and duplicating costs each year. Having product and pricing information on the Web and Web-based CD-ROMs saves Cisco an additional $50 million annually in printing and distributing catalogues and marketing materials to customers. Faster service. Lead times were reduced from 4 to 10 days to 2 to 3 days. The CCC) system also benefits customers. Cisco customers can configure orders more quickly, immediately determine costs, and collaborate much more rapidly and effectively with Cisco's staff. Also, customer service and technical support are faster. In 2006, Cisco moved to selling online its hardware (routers, switches, and VolP) and the software that powers them separately. This unbundling gives customers more flexibility (see Hoover 2006). End of Case Study Case Study Questions to Answer: 1. Explain the purpose of an organisation implementing an e-CRM system and how this relates to the changes made by Cisco, within the case study section on ‘Customer Service’. (4 marks) 2. Discuss why allowing Cisco B2B customers to complete online orders would also be a benefit to other business entities. Also, what could be potential disadvantages or risks to a business. (4 Marks) 3. Identity at least 3 cost saving benefits that Cisco has achieved from the implementation of their online connection system, and why they are justified. (3 marks) END OF QUESTIONS Submission Directions: The assignment will be submitted via Blackboard. Each student will be permitted only ONE submission to Blackboard. You need to ensure that the document submitted is the