E-Business Maturity Models - Assignment Example

? E-business Maturity Models Introduction Electronic business is a twentieth century modern concept that is concurrently legalizing the Internet as a conventional medium of communication and changing the face of an emerging commercial business reality. The advancement prospects brought about by innovatively formulated and well-managed electronic business undertakings are unmatched in the history of industrialization; online retail medium were estimated to be well over ten billion dollars worldwide. This development was further predicted to move into the twentieth century even much swifter with the growth. Different online firms exhibit different levels of E-Business maturity depending on the standards of their applications and services (Fox, 2001, p.231). A clear comprehension of E-Business models can be employed appropriately to maximize future benefits. The objective of this paper is to discuss levels of E-business maturity in relation to three different organisations. E-Business Maturity As various enterprises go through different phases of e-business maturity, they encounter same challenges while incorporating this technology in their business operations. They need to validate with their competitors and equals to be able to match forward in the right direction (Bak & Stair, 2011, p. 186). Due to the fact that all businesses experience similar predicaments in this endeavor, their development steps can be portrayed as phases of maturity. The fundamental concept of study here is that all these businesses go through same phases of maturity with regards to the approaches they utilize and how they manage to sustain and drive business objective and processes (Garrett, 2006, p.10). The E-Business maturity model provides a platform under which one can establish where a business is positioned and pin-points high-priority advancement areas that ought to be addressed to enhance current maturity phase. The model elucidates the steps that ought to be taken to move a notch higher to an upper stage (Gosselin, 2009, p.86). The primary fact here is that improved E-Business maturity is directly connected to better outcomes with regards to a business’s capacity to inevitably implement E-Business programmes and processes. Improved maturity is likely to translate to maximised financial benefits from investments (Gangopadhyay, 2002, p.202). A noteworthy point is that this model describes the approaches and levels of E-Business strategy development. However, it is not designed to offer insights in the soundness of the chosen strategy. This kind of information can only be acquired by examining external factors, such as the environment, and organisational ones such as goods and services, clients and relevant authorities (Weill & Vitale, 2001, p.11). The five levels of the E-Consciousness Rising Model developed by the Price Waterhouse provide an elaborate platform under which maturity levels of different E- Businesses can be assessed. Masala Wok is a multinational food chain store that has several branches in different parts of the world. The food chain store serves Indo-Chinese cuisine. Going by the E-Consciousness Rising Maturity Model designed by the Price Waterhouse, the company’s electronic business website falls at the first stage. This is the Online Presence phase that groups organisations that have implemented static information to their online systems. There is minimal interaction other than information about the company, delicacies and services offered, and picture gallery. The website is designed to market the services offered by Masala Wok and provide directions on how to access their restaurants. The company does not engage in online retail and home delivery services. For this reason, the website system is quite basic and has no complex components interconnecting clients to suppliers and brokers. Ablecan is a visa agency firm that is well situated at the heart of London. The company’s area of specialty is acquiring business and tourist visa on behalf of United Kingdom residents willing to visit areas such as Saudi Arabia and various other parts of the world. The company’s staff consists of various individuals of different nationalities speaking many languages. This exposes the company’s diversity in terms of expertise and market target. Over the years, the company has strived to develop a reputation that focuses much on customer satisfaction. Other services provided by this multinational company include passport renewal, which is done within twenty four hours, as well as translation services. The company also provides its clients access to various consular offices. A noteworthy point is that all these services are provided through their online interactive system. Ablecan’s e-business platform can be grouped at the second stage of the E-Consciousness Rising Model, which is the Online Business phase. This is because the organisation’s website is designed to legally carry out business electronically. However, the system only provides a mechanism through which clients can place orders for the services they demand. There is no effective mechanism integrating clients and suppliers. Pull and Bear is a Spanish company that specialises in clothing. The firm was launched two decades ago (Badia, 2009, p.176). It is a top player in the industry that has gained a competitive advantage for its e-business. Through its online system, the company has successfully integrated its clients, suppliers and partners. Therefore, its e-business structure can be grouped in the Fourth stage of the E-Consciousness Rising Maturity Model, which is the Fully Integrated E-Business Phase. The system provides an interface through which clients can reach and interact with different stores in different geographical areas and access various services offered by different departments within the organisations. E-Business Models E-business models remain to be considered a fundamental factor in the economic growth of business organisations even in the future. The advantages of operating in a rapidly changing ICT industry become apparent when efficient e-business practices are put in place. They ought to provide business organisations with the exposure and access to cross-border markets and client access to customised, highly superior products and services (Andersen et al., 2003, p.400). E-business models are a fundamental factor in the road to maturity for most business organisations. They are the measurement tools that business executives can employ to establish how well they are aligning their structures to be at par with the ever-changing business environment. It is also the driving force that can amply push an organisation towards investing much into innovativeness (Matthewson, 2012, p.9). It is recommended that organisations ought to set e-business goals that majorly seek to enhance service quality for their clients and increase sales. This is the only way business organisations can maximize financial benefits in the future for investments made (Currie, 2004, p.3). Different e-business websites implement varying business models. For instance, the Masala Wok websites implements the advertising model of e-business. The website successfully markets the company’s profile and services offered. Due to its popularity, the website provides a platform for other business entities to market their products and services by posting banner ads. The e-business model only provides the company with a platform whereby it can only communicate with its clients on limited issues. The company can only exchange messages with its clients regarding issues such as complaints and receiving new ideas. It markets the company’s wide variety of goods and services. There are no online trade and transactions executed through the e-business system. The potential impact that the system implemented in this model can accrue is quite limited. Pull and Bear on its part implements the virtual merchant model of e-business. It operates like an electronic retail store that can make its sales on the basis of list prices or auction. It breaks geographical boundaries and thus facilitates sales across borders. Companies that have an online presence that implements this model usually have the platform and infrastructure to make sales, trade and transact over the web quite effectively. These companies break massive geographical barriers to ensure clients from various parts of the world can access their products. The policies, processes and principles that define this business model are professional drafted while taking into consideration the variations in terms of cultures that define their different markets. The implementation of this model is often aimed at gaining a competitive edge over other players in the industry. Pull and Bear have evidently organised their electronic catalogue of goods and services offered and are able to sufficiently take orders through the website, receive money offered for goods and services in a secure environment and ensure that goods reach the intended customer. Their e-business system allows them to interact with their clients as if it is a traditional retail store. Ablecan website implements the affiliate model of e-business. The company partners with other independent organisations, providing them with the platform to execute their duties more efficiently. It has partnered with different embassies to easily provide United Kingdom residents with services that they may initially have been forced to access by being physically present at the embassy. This model is not relatively new. Most multinational organisations such as Ablecan for a long time have been carrying out their e-business activities by networking their systems with those of their partners and customers. Ablecan has provided an elaborate infrastructure for other organisations to easily access their potential clients without necessarily having to invest in an e-business system. Ablecan have successfully provided their potential clients with a wide selection of services that are offered by different independent organisations. Without implementing such an e-business model, its clients would otherwise have to search for independent online stores to acquire the services they need. This is evidently much inconveniencing. Recommendations E-business is essential in breaking geographical barriers and acquiring international exposure. It widens a business’ market base and enables it to tap into foreign markets. Most enterprises go through different phases of E-Business maturity. In the process, they encounter similar challenges in their business operations. Therefore, companies such as the three discussed are recommended to carry out a validation process with their competitors and equals to be able to remain relevant in the future. It is also recommended that companies ought to carry out sufficient market research to be able to develop a refined business concept. Research ought to be based on the targeted market. Research has an influence even on pricing and thus need to be thorough. To successfully implement an e-business and accrue the maximum possible benefit from it, it is important to set up realistic goals and objectives (Gerrard & Thompson, 2002, p.91). An elaborate business plan ought to be drafted to guide the process of working towards attaining these goals. For a kind of organisation aiming to see considerable change, it is necessary to draft an implementation plan as well that covers the various procedures essential for guiding the entire process. A firm aiming to maximise its potential ought to draft and implement corporate strategies that define the steps necessary to implement the e-business concept. These strategies are necessary because they define how a business is expected to function. The strategies must be modified over time to address the changing needs and technological advancements to enhance the performance of the organisation. One frequently made mistake made by most online enterprises is that they often just add e-business to a rather long list of responsibilities that an individual is already dealing with. It is important for all electronic enterprises such as Ablecan, Pull and Bear, and Masala Wok to empower the individual charged with the responsibility of heading such a department. Irrespective of the title held by this individual, he ought to have enough power and space as the head of other departments such as marketing. This is because the person holding this office is likely to make vital decisions that can impact greatly on the future of the business just as the head of all these other departments (Sweeney, 2001, p.13). It is a fact that e-business can no longer be viewed merely as an alternative but a necessity. Upcoming innovations are increasing, seizing the market share and raising the level of competition. A lot of issues have to be taken into consideration while trying to get the perfect structure for online enterprises. It is true to mention that a number of organisations are struggling with the fundamental challenge of identifying the right e-business model for their organisations. While dealing with this challenge, it is advisable not to experiment with different approaches. It is important to come up with the right procedures and plan to implement an e-business model. This can only be done by carrying out an efficient market research and understanding the current business procedures (Aksit, Mezini, & Unland, 2003, p.107). Conclusion E-business is a fundamental part of transacting business today. It enables entrepreneurs break geographical barriers and attain international exposure. For years now, entrepreneurs have embraced this technology to widen their business’s market base and tap into foreign markets. Businesses need to adopt the E-Business Maturity Model Systems for growth. This is because improved e-business maturity is directly connected to better outcomes. The model offers a platform under which one can establish where a business is positioned and pin-points high-priority advancement areas that ought to be addressed to enhance current maturity phase. Improved maturity is likely to translate to maximised financial benefits from investments. References Aksit, M., Mezini. M., & Unland, R. (2003). Objects, Components, Architectures, Services, and Applications for a Networked World: International Conference NetObjectDays. London: Springer. Andersen, K.V., Elliot, S., Swatman, P.M.C., Trauth, E.M., & Niels, B.-A. (2003). Seeking Success in e-Business: A Multidisciplinary Approach. London: Springer. Badia, E. (2009). Zara and her Sisters: The Story of the World's Largest Clothing Retailer. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Bak, O., & Stair, N. (2011). Impact of E-Business Technologies on Public and Private Organizations: Industry Comparisons and Perspectives. 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