Integrating E-Business Models - Essay Example

RUNNING HEAD: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX INSERT NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COURSE: XXXXXXXXXXXXX INSTITUTION: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX INSTRUCTOR: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX DATE: XXXXXXXXXXX E-commerce has been in practice for slightly over a decade and continues to evolve with the technology advancements that have become a part of modern business practices. The business practice was initiated by the invention of the internet and has been stimulated by the development of new web technologies. Web 2.0 is the latest revolutionary invention that assists individual or business entities in the designing of their web page such that the user easily interacts with the entity’s page without much ado. No single description befits the term but in its simplest form it can be defined as the second version in wed development that easily allows a user to navigate across the worldwide web (Botha, Bothma & Geldenhuys, 2008). With this definition it is very difficult to understand what the technology entails and thus it is very crucial to identify its two core components and what distinctively separates it from traditional web design. The first component is Ajax which transforms web applications into desktop ones which makes it easier for the entities to develop their web pages without necessarily logging to the content providers. Therefore the web application forms and facilitates the Web 2.0 technology. The second crucial component is democracy where individuals publish whatever content they want without discrimination. This is unlike writing for media companies where the editor dictates on what to write and publish. With the advanced web technology, the systems will select the best materials and thus provide the best available information (Yee, 2008). Web 2.0 applications have a number of advantages over and above the traditional web designs which include continuously updated services hence increasing the efficiency of users. Secondly, the applications are able to combine data acquired from various sources thus allowing more interactions between the users. Thirdly, Web 2.0 applications facilitate the developments of networks through frequent participations by the users. Lastly, the applications increase user experience by offering them a wide array of options when it comes to the navigation of the worldwide web (Casarez, Cripe, Sini & Weckerle, 2008). This web technology has led to the development of social sites such as Facebook which has become a major interacting zone among individuals. Facebook incorporates the Web 2.0 technology where it allows users to develop whatever content they wish. Its users can form groups as well as individual pages where they can be accessed and their information posted. While using the social site, it is noticeable that there is no discrimination among the users and everyone is free to go about their business irrespective of the content. Further afield, Facebook is a social portal where individuals share information as well as interact with others. This is the primary advantage of Web 2.0 technologies where the users are bound to increase participation if they are to create more networks. Web 2.0 applications are stated to be everywhere in the sense that they are applicable in every aspect of life whether individual or business. Business enterprises across their operational industries have integrated these applications in their activities as they seek to maximise the use of the internet. The major impact caused by the Web 2.0 applications was evident where start-up business ventures soon surpassed the already established businesses which were stuck in the traditional mode of operation (Lytras, Dimiani & Pablos, 2008). The newly established companies included these applications in their business activities and directly benefited from them through increased customer access and networking. Businesses can be broadly categorised into two; product and service providers. Depending on the nature of their business operation, business organizations utilise the Web 2.0 applications differently. A common phenomenon in the application of Web 2.0 across the industries indicates that they are aimed at enhancing service and product delivery (Casarez, Cripe, Sini & Weckerle, 2008). This is achieved through cooperation and interaction between the product providers and their customers. As a result increased competition across the industries has been realised as business entities move to specialise in providing more specified products. Differences in the application of Web 2.0 are also based on the nature of the business operations. In the service industries, Web 2.0 applications are aimed at enhancing service delivery whereas in the product industries the applications are used for product development. However, irrespective of the industries, Web 2.0 applications are used as a research tool where firms aim at identifying the preferences of their end users (Chaffey, 2007). The integration of Web 2.0 applications in the travel industry has resulted into the term Travel 2.0. Two major trends have begun revealing themselves in the travel industry identified as the reduced numbers of online booking and the re-emergence of traditional travel agencies. Consumers in this industry are slowly retracting to traditional methods since the technological services being offered tend to be shallow in addressing the specific needs of the consumer (O’Connor, Hopken & Gretzel, 2008). As businesses in other industries move closer to the customer, players in the travel industry are moving further away that has left a distasteful flavour in the customer’s mouth. By integrating Web 2.0 applications in their operations, travel agents are bound to increase their level of interaction with their customers and create forums where the customers can provide some insight on their preferences. For the traveller, the Web 2.0 application will enable them to identify the various places that offer substantial facilities for the purpose of their visits. This will enable the customer choose the most optimal travel destination as well as the most suitable travel option available at the time. Airline companies will be able to identify area which are frequented by travellers and thus commence flights to the specific destinations. In the health industry, Health 2.0 will assist in ensuring adequate healthcare services are provided. A major characteristic in the health industry is that cooperation among the various health services providers has to be enhanced to ensure quality health services are provided to the people (Carter, 2008). The healthcare providers will require Health 2.0 applications in their operations to access adequate information on the most recent trends being experienced in the health sector. These providers include hospitals, health centres and clinics among other facilities that ensure human health is maintained. They will be able to identify the needs of their client population and the various health threats that they face hence improving on their delivery of health services. For the patient, Health 2.0 will enable them to access information on the best treatment facilities within their reach, their subsequent prices and modes of treatment. Patients are therefore able to access quality healthcare through the Web 2.0 applications. They are able to provide feedback through discussion forums that bring together physicians and patients among other participants in the health sector. Insurance companies can utilise the Health 2.0 to identify the health status of their population. They are able to identify the various health threats faced by the local population and provide suitable insurance products to cover them on health grounds. The insurance companies can also access information on health conditions in foreign nations and insure travellers to avoid heavy financial losses in the event of contracting health conditions. Governments require incorporating e-Government 2.0 applications to coordinate its operations involving the various government authorities. With e-Government 2.0 applications, municipalities are able to deliver services according to the objectives identified by the government (Chhabra & Kumar, 2009). Locally, the municipalities are able to identify the local needs of the citizens and thus provide them by utilising the most viable channels available. Resources available within the municipality will be effectively and efficiently utilised in the provision of the services. Citizens on the other hand are able to identify the projects that the government has prioritised and how they will impact on their livelihoods. Egger (2005) identifies that citizens they also have the option of providing their views on the development projects and how they can play a role in undertaking them. In the retail industry, retailers utilise Web 2.0 applications to identify the consumption of their products based on their customer location or any other major customer differentiation. Retailers are further able to interact with their customers and identify their preferences which they integrate in the delivery of products and services (Chhabra & Kumar, 2009). Customers are the ultimate beneficiaries of Web 2.0 applications since they are aimed at improving service delivery. Customers are able to locate retailers who price their products competitively without compromising on their quality. They are also able to conduct their shopping without necessarily leaving their homes or offices thus easing the shopping burden. In the communications industry, media owners are able to provide their clients with the best communication products especially through their mobile phones. The clients are in turn adequately informed on the events happening locally and in the global arena. Media regulatory authorities identify necessary policies that regulate the operations of the industry without restraining their freedom (Spurgeon, 2008). Having integrated the Web 2.0 applications, organizations are bound to identify the needs of their clients and channel their resources towards satisfying them. Business ventures are able to increase their revenues as more satisfied customers continue frequenting the premises to purchase more products. Organizations are able to disintegrate their customer base to smaller groups which exhibit similar characteristics. The specific needs of these groups are identified and the organizations move in closer to identify their needs. This results into customer satisfaction which complements the increase in the revenues (Casarez, Cripe, Sini & Weckerle, 2008). Through the identification of the customer’s needs, the firms are able to develop their products such that they meet and satisfy the identified needs. These products become a household brand where it is associated with satisfying a particular need in the market. With competitive pricing, the customer identifies the value associated with the product brand and hence the company achieves customer loyalty. References Botha, J, Bothma, C & Geldenhuys, P 2008, Managing E-commerce in Business, 2nd Ed, Juta & Co. Ltd., Michigan. Carter, HJ 2008, Electronic Health Records: A Guide for Clinicians & Administrators, 2nd Ed., ACP Press, Seattle. Casarez, V, Cripe, B, Sini, J & Weckerle, P 2008, Reshaping Your Business with Web 2.0, McGraw-Hill Prof., New York. Chaffey, D 2007, E-business & e-Commerce Management: Strategy, Implementation & Practice, 3rd Ed, Prentice Hall, Washington. Chhabra, S & Kumar, M 2009, Integrating E-Business Models for Government Solutions: Citizen-Centric Service Oriented Methodologies & Processes, Idea Group Inc (IGI), Denver. Eggers. WD 2005, Government 2.0: Using Technology to Improve Education, Cut Red tape, Reduce Gridlock, & Enhance Democracy, Rowman & Littlefield, South Carolina. Lytras, MD, Dimiani, E & Pablos, PO 2008, Web 2.0: The Business Model. Springer Pub., Boston. O’Connor, P, Hopken, W & Gretzel U 2008, Information & Communication Technologies in Tourism 2008, Springer, Boston. Spurgeon, C 2008, Advertising & New Media, Routledge, Arizona. Yee, R 2008, Pro Web 2.0 Mashups: Remixing Data & Web Services, Apress, New York. Read More