Aspects of E-Commerce Business Solutions - Coursework Example

Information Systems and Trends The modern day organisation operates essentially in the public sphere. This implies that its level of competitive advantage is connected with its knowledge management process and the competence level demonstrated by this process. In this context, knowledge management may be defined as the process of transmitting information regarding various quarters within the organisation’s operational sphere to the relevant parties within and outside it. This is an important process owing to the fact that the public today wants to know details about the organisation in order to show any level of interest in it. This assumption also caters to the employees and recruits who want full information regarding the work culture as well as the broad policies within the organisation. (Dominique et al, 2001) Premise of Study The four basic technological trends that have led to a change in the technological environment within and outside an organisation are as follows: The doubling of computer power every 18 months, which we also refer to as the Moores Law; Advancement in data storage and research techniques; Advancement in the field of telecommunication; The Internet. The Need for these premises in the modern day organisation is as follows: Business Transformation: this includes a class of services aimed at carrying out relevant research and applying the interpretation of the data emanating from the same in order to transform the company and render exponential growth to its operational effectiveness. Systems and technology consultancy: this includes working with private as well as public companies and corporations to source and provide information regarding financial services, energy, government and public services, manufacturing and telecommunications, among many others, so as to promote the scope for strategic partnerships between the public and private corporations for a better information base that will help all aspects of a business. Internet and E Commerce The world has shrunk to a small speck called E-commerce, where it is now possible to exchange goods and money in the form of normal transactions. Shopping on the Internet or online shopping as it is more popularly known is that form of shopping that has almost emptied shopping malls in various parts of the world. For success in this kind of trading and information, it is important to stimulate the customer or end user in ways that will be different from normal marketing. (Nemetz, 2002) For example, it is not possible for a customer to feel the fabric of the shirt he is about to buy from an online trader. So what is it that is supposed to draw him? Similarly, the housewife cannot smell the coffee beans that she is being offered on an online grocery store – so how does she know it will be something that she will relish every morning? These are the questions that are often asked in the arena of the Internet and E Commerce. In this regard, all the answers point towards specific simulation application that may be used and categorised as aids in online shopping. E-commerce is an extremely vast field now and it requires the use of various models for appropriation of simulation techniques where the online market place is concerned. The problem in this project mainly adheres to the fact that there are now a plethora of such models and theories. Thus, this has led to some amount of deliberation in terms of choosing the appropriate ones. (Nemetz, 2002) It has been found that there has been a 94% increase for the year 2005 in the number of Britons buying products online as opposed to the 37% figure of five years ago. (news.bbc.co.uk) This further implies the fact that E-Commerce is now a major revenue generating field in the world of global economies. Owing to increasing trends in globalisation, there has been widespread exposure of people from all corners to products and services that are suddenly not out of their reach. In this regard, the specific need areas of the people involved in terms of end users is a difficult area to study in order to arrive at the relevant simulation models and approaches. This depends largely on the demographic make up as well as the cultural influences, age, and product being sold. Therefore, E-Commerce is a vast subject to study and find the apt simulation models for. (Nemetz, 2002) Scope of E Commerce and Information Warehousing The scope of business is decided by its advent upon various spheres of operation. To be effective, market intelligence is the foremost pre requisite. In this regard, E-Commerce has been described along the following lines, in terms of its operational sphere: Industry Association with various web pages: this gives rise to a certain amount of validation of the product and it elements, especially in terms of marketing and online shopping. (Palmer et al, 2003) Availability of information: E-Commerce depends largely on the information system, which is an integration of the knowledge management model as well as the human effort as far as intellectual capital is concerned. (Palmer et al, 2003) When described in context of these broad elements, E-Commerce can be referred to as the technological advancement in the arena of marketing which in turn gives rise to a whole new experience as far as business practices are concerned. (Matsuo et al, 2003) Decision Aids: Business Environment Within and Outside In the world of increasing consumerism, the significance of decision aids is accentuated through a focus on market intelligence. Whereas, in the field of personal selling, these decision aids are required to follow a certain kind of market mechanism, in the world of E Commerce, these aids follow the path of technology and advancement thereof. In virtual selling the major elements that decision aids must possess are as follows: Lack of shelf space and the limitations posed thereof: the products must always be presented in a fresh and appealing way. (Lohse et al, 1998) No constraints on the amount of information provided: the products must have a comprehensive content to go with them, as virtual selling involves a lot more convincing, especially in fields like food and travel where the end result is what decides repeat orders and shopping. (Lohse et al, 1998) Ingenuinity in information based decision aids: these aids must hold the interest of the customer even as it is imperative to give out enough of information in terms of every aspect of the product. The narrative must not be boring, yet effective in its ability to include all details. (Matsuo, 2003) Electronic attributes to enhance the purchasing options: these aids must make use of multimedia and other such visually enhancing features in order to enhance the ability of the product to sell or strike a chord with the customer. (Nemetz, 2000) Elements of personal selling in an adaptive form: the various elements that cater to the needs of the customer as well as those that hook the interest level through a focus on offers like bargain list, best of list, comparison matrix, consumer reviews, gift reminder, live chat help, personalised recommendations, recommendation agent, related item list, sponsored chat forum, wish list and many more. (Matsuo et al, 2003) Therefore, decision aids may be described as a set of tools that aim at the strategic virtual positioning of the brand or product to gain maximum foothold where influencing consumer choices in the arena of E Commerce is concerned. These elements may also be used as the data warehousing elements of the information system on which the website of online business is modeled. (Carrier et al, 1989) Information Assurance System There are a variety of elements as far as data warehousing, technology and the Internet go. These have been represented as the points in the grid so as to facilitate the process of analysis. Vulnerability assessment & intrusion detection systems Risk assessment & risk management Backups & business continuity planning Disaster recovery planning Computer incident response teams Digital investigation & incident post-mortem Privacy & anonymity in cyberspace; censorship & content filtering Management responsibilities & liabilities The future of information assurance Professional development Operational Context: Aspects of E Commerce Business Solutions As far as the scope of knowledge management goes, this information has various dimensions in terms of factors that influence the scope and process of knowledge management. These factors are as follows: Source: Skyrme (1999) This diagram helps us focus on the contextual elements of knowledge management that may be applied to the case of an organisation. These elements further help in codifying information through a focus on knowledge centres which helps in garnering intelligence throughout the organisation. Importance of Information System and Data Warehousing: Role of Technology Result Oriented Approach With the elements in the above part, it is easy to visualise a knowledge management system or model that adheres to the following factors in terms of data warehousing and investigation: (Dominique et al, 2001) Easy Applicability: this refers to an application of model along the lines of an easy and systematic manner. This will the transmission process a more smooth flowing one that will naturally to all employees within the organisation. Connectivity: this kind of a model will help the employees and managers connect and link all the activities so as to put up a coordinated front especially where pressures for deadlines and the generation of coherent knowledge is concerned. Credibility: with a strong focus on points like giving the right kind and right amount of information to the right people, this kind of a model will lend a certain amount of credibility in its ability to tie all departments within the organisation together for a stronger organisation of data and knowledge that flows into and from various corners of the same. Quality: the application of such a model will lay the framework for qualitative knowledge and its management, which in turn will support the cause of quality in all the activities attached with the exchange of this knowledge and information. This will help raise the standards and the quality of the work culture within the organisation. (Bernstein, 1997) Smooth progression: the activities within the organisation will progress smoothly, almost blending into one another when a fool proof model for knowledge management has been developed and implemented. Role of Knowledge Management Factors and People – Leadership Perspective The knowledge management structure defined above will help create a certain kind of culture. Further, these factors discussed above will have a wide role to play in the model employed in IMC depending on the quality of the workforce and the ability they show for rising above their diversities and integrating the best points of the same, to come with a systemised form of knowledge management that will flow from one country to another. In this case, the role of leadership is a crucial one. The leader or manager needs to communicate effectively so as to render a tone of authority and authenticity to the knowledge that is being shared. This in turn will help integrate the personal goals of the employees with the organisational ones. The role of leadership in this case has its foundations in professional efficiency. The first, and most basic ingredient of professional efficiency which fits in neatly with time bound activities, is to know the general direction in which one is moving. This involves thorough knowledge regarding the following: Personal goals Organisational goals (Newell et al, 2002) This forms the criteria of knowing where one is going. Before taking on any objective – whether professional or personal – it is important for the employee to know where his or her intellect and knowledge base fits in, with regard to the organisational goals. This will help the employee understand how to further the organisational goals so as to further the personal ones. (Little et al, 2005) The latest trends in this case are in the form of specialised knowledge engineers and mangers that create entire structures and cultures thereafter for organisations and their employees to follow. (Morey et al, 2002) Also, it will help the company lay down the specific standards and norms according to which knowledge must be allocated and channelled for optimum utilisation of resources. In this context, IMC needs to depend on the sheer diversity of its workforce in order to overcome various difficulties like culture and governmental practices, through a focus on the knowledge base it develops. The knowledge base should be managed effectively the knowledge management system as well as the departments that procure and use this knowledge. (Bernstein, 1997) The primary skills that will be required in this field will include the building of a knowledge base regarding the countries that they operate in as well as sharing this knowledge with each other. Further, there needs to be an emphasis on individual activities like documentation and content management of the independent profiles and portfolios of the offices in these countries. This knowledge must be processed to generate a standardised form of content that must emanate from every office. This will create the scope for better leadership practices. The most important point here is to link these individual offices with each other so as to have a systematic flow of information which will promote quality and coherence in its knowledge as well as the management system adopted to handle the same. In this regard, there is a need for greater efficiency which can be brought about by the reinvention of its knowledge management patterns and activities in general. This will promote a general feeling of belonging within all offices of the company around the world. Further, the company needs to focus on the utilisation of skills and knowledge of its marketing and other experts who can train the current employees and spread the culture of imparting and sharing knowledge within the organisation. This is owing to the fact that despite a poor knowledge management system, this company has a good base as far as it expert panel and potential thereof is concerned. (Skyrme, 1999) Issues in implementing an Information and Knowledge Management The following steps are involved in the implementation of an information and knowledge management system at an organization in terms of leanings towards E Commerce: Outsourcing Maintenance and support Operations Systems Integration Solution deployment Technology selection Consulting Solution development Architecture Conceptualization (Stephenson, 2004) Keeping in view the complexity of information technology elements vendors and solution providers are complemented with Outsourcing Services within the organization.  These include cover Operations and Maintenance of the solution deployed by an organization and the related information technology elements. Data Centers can be established at various developing countries where the BPO revolution is at its zenith. This can be used by an organization as the primary site or secondary site or Disaster Recovery. All activities and responsibilities related to information technology operations, management and maintenance will be taken care of by the service providers and vendors while the organization can focus on its core operational area. This core area will involve the use of integrative models that will make ample use of knowledge management as well as learning tools. (Langley et al, 2003) Summary Resource allocation and distributive systems with a focus on knowledge management and information systems, are the norm in E-commerce. These are crucial tools and elements that further the cause of online shopping by providing the right basis for consumerism in terms of the options that are provided to the customer. The end user or final purchaser is one who achieves this status by buying something online. In this regard, to convert more numbers of online visitors to purchasers, it is important to provide them with decision aids that will come in the form of being at the right corner of the screen at the right time. The positioning of various options and the user friendly ones in particular, is crucial if there is a focus on garnering more online sales. Thus, the use of the Internet for shopping must support consumerism by leaving the ultimate decision with the buyer. In this regard, the buyer must be made to feel that he or she is enjoying ultimate independence in making the purchase choices without being concerned about what the sales person is saying and what his or her final impression will be. In this regard, the summation of this section would lie in the fact that online decision aids help promote confidence, save time and put cognitive efforts into making the purchaser feel the quality of his or her decision. Apart from showing the elements that go into the formation of apt decision aids, these guidelines also render some amount if significance to the decision aids model. In this regard, the decision aids as well as the information system needs to maintaining security, brand positioning as well as various other aspects of successful management depend on knowledge management as well as the information system within the E Commerce structure. The knowledge management element is one of the most vital in terms of providing a fitting environment for the business in terms of security and brand positioning. References Dominique (ETD) Foray, John R. De La Mothe (2001) Knowledge Management in the Innovative Process. Springer. L. Payne (Aug, 1996) Making Knowledge Management Real at the National Security Agency. Knowledge Management in Practice. C. Bernstein (1997) Global Sharing of Consulting Knowledge. AAAI Spring Symp. Knowledge Management, AAAI. Hislop, D. (2005). Knowledge management in organizations: A critical introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Little, S., and Ray, T. (eds) (2005). Managing knowledge: An essential reader. (2nd ed). London: Sage. Morey, D., Maybury, M., and Thuraisingham, B. (eds) (2002). Knowledge Management: Classic and contemporary works. Cambridge, MA and London: MIT Press. Newell, S., Robertson, M., Scarborough, H. and Swan, J. (2002). Managing knowledge work. Basingstoke: Palgrave. Skyrme, D.J. (1999) Knowledge networking, creating the collaborative enterprise. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Skyrme, D. J. (1999) Knowledge Management Solutions - The IT Contribution. David Skyrme Associates Limited Brussin, D (2006). Professional penetration testing for better Security. CISSP Stephenson, P (2004). Getting the Whole Picture. The Center for Digital Forensic Studies. Wentling RM, Palma-Rivas N (1999) Components of effective diversity training programmes. International Journal of Training and Development. Marquardt, Michael J. (1996) Building the learning organization: A systems approach to quantum improvement. Mc-Graw Hill. Boisot, M. and Cox, B (1999). The i-space: a framework for analyzing the evolution of social computing. Technovation, 19 (9), p. 525-536. Kirk, J (1999), Information in organizations: directions for information management, Information Research, 4 (3) Eaton, J. and Bawden, D. (1991). What kind of resource is information? International Journal of Information Management, 11 (2), 156-165. Davenport, T.; (1999). Is knowledge management just good information management? Mastering information. London: Financial Times Jones, M. (1995). Organisational learning: collectivist mind or cognitivist metaphor? Accounting, Management and Information Technology, 5 (1), 61-77. Langley, E., Seybrooks, J., Ryder, D. (2003). Information audot as a holistic approach: a case study. Last accessed on thr 3rd November 2003 at URL http://www.sla.org/division/dst/LangleySLA062003.pdf BBC News Online. URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/ (Accessed during December 2008) Lohse, G L; Spiller, P (1998). Electronic Shopping. The Communications of the ACM, Vol 41, No 7. Pp 81 – 88. Nemetz, F (2002). The Missing Link: Multimedia and E-Commerce; Conference on human factors in computing. ACM Digital Library. Pp 65 – 66 Costbile, M (2002). The Usability Process of Life Cycle Software. Portal – the guide to computer literature. Palmer, J M; Linderman, M A (2003) Business Models and Market Mechanisms: Evaluating Efficiencies in Consumer Electronic Markets. The Databases of Advances in Information Systems (Vol 34, no 2) Pp 23 – 38. Matsuo, T; ITO, T (2003). A Decision Support System for Group Buying based on Buyers’ Preferences in Electronic Commerce. The Center for Knowledge Science. Gupta, A; Whitman L; Aggarwal, K R (2001). Supply Chain Agent Decision and System. Proceedings of the 2001 Winter Simulation Conference. Carrier, H D; Wallace, W A (1989). An Epistemological View of Decision-Aid Technology with Emphasis on Expert Systems. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics. Vol 19; No. 5 Read More