2 How should the e-commerce manager monitor and respond to technological innovation?
3 Benchmark different approaches to achieving and reassuring customers about their
privacy and security using three or four examples for a retail sector such as travel, books, toys
or clothing.
4 Select a new Internet-access technology (such as phone, kiosks or TV) that has been
introduced in the last two years and assess whether it will become a significant method
of access.
Examination questions
1 Explain the different layers of governance of the Internet.
2 Summarise the macro-environment variables a company needs to monitor when operating an
e-commerce site.
3 Explain the purpose of environmental scanning in an e-commerce context.
4 Give three examples of how web sites can use techniques to protect the user’s privacy.
5 Explain the significance of the diffusion–adoption concept to the adoption of new
technologies to:
(a) consumers purchasing using technological innovations;
(b) businesses deploying technological innovations.
6 What action should an e-commerce manager take to ensure compliance with ethical and legal
standards of their site?
References
References
ABC News (2000) Ecommerce Causes Tax Shortfall in US. News story on ABC.com. 27/07/00,
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/business/DailyNews/internettaxes000725.html.
Booz Allen Hamilton (2002) International E-Economy Benchmarking The World’s Most Effective
Policies for the E-Economy. Report published 19 November, London, http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/
assetRoot/04/00/08/19/04000819.pdf.
Curry, A. (2001) What’s next for interactive television?, Interactive Marketing, 3(2),
October/December, 114–28.
Dyson, E. (1998) Release 2.1. A Design for Living in the Digital Age. Penguin, London.
Fisher, A. (2000) Gap widens between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’, Financial Times, 5
December.
Fletcher, K. (2001) Privacy: the Achilles heel of the new marketing, Interactive Marketing, 3(2),
October/December, 128–41.
Gartner (2005) Gartner’s Hype Cycle Special Report for 2005. Report summary available at
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Guardian(2003a) Hijacked your bank balance, your identity, your life. TheGuardian, Saturday,
25 October, http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,3605,1069646,00.html.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,1017664,00.html.
Guardian(2005) Ethiopia’s digital dream. Michael Cross, Thursday, 4 August.
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