Impact of E-Commerce on B2B Organizations - Essay Example

MODULE: Research Proposal ID: PROGRAMME: 15.04.2008 WORD COUNTS: 1493 IMPACT OF E- COMMERCE ON B2 ORGANIZATIONS Contents Key words Aims Background Research questions Data collection Methodology Resources Limitations Ethics Outcomes References 1.0 Keywords E Commerce Business to Business Supply chain management Telecommunications Computers Stream lined work processes 2.0 Background Business to Business (B 2 B) Electronic Commerce (E Commerce) has brought about a sea change in the way transactions are carried out between different entities in business. (Morris, 1998) In facilitating easy access, E Commerce provides a cost saving method for different parties to a business to develop maximum productivity. Specifically E Commerce integrates telecommunications, computers and stream lined work processes. Business to Customer (B2C) e commerce enables customers to directly get in touch with manufacturers. B2B helps organizations communicate. (Donat, 2000) The need for stocking inventory is negligible as information passes rapidly down the electronic corridor. One of the greatest advantages of an e commerce platform is that information is exchanged between manufacturer and customer directly. The greatest advantage of E commerce is the flexibility it provides to production to take advantage of information sharing long the production chain. A production unit can manipulate this information to great profit customer needs can be coordinated better with processes. (Chen, 2003) 3.0 Research Aims The fundamental aim of this paper is to identify E-commerce and its Impact on B2B Organizations Supply Chain and identify the way in which the logistics of business-to-business e-commerce can be managed to gain the most efficient form of supply chain in UK. 4.0 Research Questions The fundamental question of this paper is to find out the whether the impact of E-commerce and B2B Organizations Supply Chain if effective and whether it is logical to implement it in the parameter of supply chain in UK. 5.0 Data collection The objective in this study was to see the possible effect of the e commerce system would have on the market segment. The study would in fact be balanced in its validity and reliability by results in questionnaires delivered. The objective would be to discover whether a prior knowledge of management of market segmentation would be beneficial or detrimental toward the company and their understanding of the use of strategies as marketing tools. Data would be gained from a specific area for ease of accessibility and for targeted accuracy lending reliability and validity to the research process. (Jones, 2002) The variables involved would also include age groups, amount of education, and understanding of security needs and responsibility. Other variables may be inclusive of the economic standings of the potential customers of the e commerce system and rival industry, the physical market, along with the same standings for the customers at the edge of the market segment interviewed. A third series of variables includes the types of studies that are managed and the cultural background of the customers at each of these areas. The research paradigm considered by the researcher in regard to this work included the consideration of groups and how strategically developed planning would target them. (Caprette, 2007) 6.0 Methodology The data for this work was managed through a single questionnaire handed out to potential customers of the e commerce system. The researcher utilized gender identifiers and numbers or letters to separate each questionnaire for validity and reliability of results and to ensure bias reductions. The questionnaire is located in the Appendix section for understanding of the questions. Each question had either a 'yes' or a 'no' answer or followed positive or negative reactions to certain questions. The process to deliver and collect these questionnaires would be spanned around approximately two weeks. The data sampling would be randomly managed utilizing stratified means with questionnaires completed by both male and female potential customers. The choice to use potential and existing customers alone in this research was made for three reasons. First, it was far simpler to have access to customers in regard to the researcher's availability. Second, the focus itself is on customers' attitudes and understanding of the gadget. Third, the quantification of such information allows the researcher to gain a broader perspective on how customers observe and realize the validity and reliability of information received from a variety of sources and how they apply it to daily life in terms of e commerce. It should be noted that reliability for the researcher was achieved in the assurance that only a specified group of men and women were utilized in regard to the research. That group was focused mostly on customers and retails along with administrative personnel. This gave the research a more focused view of the research goal. The validity was managed because of this focus and emphasized in the considerations involved in the data collection, variables, and sampling methods. Privacy and confidentiality methods included assigning numeric and alphabetic coding to each responding questionnaire. This ensured anonymity in regard to the researcher and the subjects of the research process. Thus, the most important objective of the interviews regarding this study concerning the market segment of e commerce system would be building an impact regarding the profitability of this market for the stakeholder. As a result, the study would feature qualitative interviews of personnel and personalities that are well known to the arena of marketing and a huge amount of potential customers who would provide complete views of their needs through as series of open and close-ended questions. (Caprette, 2007) The interviews and questioners would certainly include the Administrators, Managers, marketing experts and Scholar, senior managers and obviously the potential customers of e commerce system. The involvement of the administrators is a logical conclusion, as this is the main stronghold that would be able to render the impetus of the market with his valued opinions. It should be noted that the interviews of the organization managers would be very helpful as they are the personnel who directly understand the ground reality of the nature and feasibility of the game plans established in the market segments of the e commerce. Marketing scholars and experts are also important for the basic strategy development these are the people who would be able to provide the theoretical framework of entire project. Interviews of the senior administrators, Journalists and retailer are very important because not only these people are well respected and their words highly valued, these are the people who are able to influence the structure of the e commerce market segment with their experience and insights. Lastly, interview would also be taken of experienced and potential consumers because they are the key objective of the entire scenario and these are the people who would actually present the objective of the market and would be instrumental directly to make the market worth venturing. To sum it up it should be mentioned that the methodology will involve client interviews, client's strategic customer interview, company records, secondary research through the Internet and university database, it will also use strategic analysis tools for development of the marketing plan. In this context, it should also be mentioned that the purpose of the project is formulated in a mutually beneficial way such that from an academic perspective there would be a huge gain in the context of valuable experience, and simultaneously add value by providing insights as well as a fresh & objective outlook on any matter relevant to the organization. (Caprette, 2007) 7.0 Resources (50) Literature in the realm of research performed on the advances in sales and marking and their use would be quite numerous and diverse in their content and methodology. In the different separate studies located, only few would have spanned a time beyond a decade. The majority of research pieces, which focus on the inclusion of theoretical and technological advances in the sales and marking process, would actually focus on the overall market segments through fundamental sales and marking levels. (Shen, 2004) The fact that there is not very many-advanced research items specifically directed toward the E commerce and it effects on supply chain management would be the focus of this dissertation proposal. 8.0 Limitations However, it should be mentioned there are certain limitations of the study. A number of people (usually senior administrators) may also insist that the consumers have no contribution to the issue. Many of them may think that consumers come into the working formulation only during the advertising scenario and never in the development plan of the marketing procedure. 9.0 Ethics Factors that manage ethics of studies such as this one in regard to e commerce and its significance on supply chain management use and abuse on professional or office would include the verifiable reports of discrimination or mismatch by agencies including senior workers, boss and fellow employees. The rise in differences and such provide a very thorough glance into the behaviour of subjects. Reactions can also be generated that behaviour in the use of e commerce and its significance on supply chain management paradox is affected by their ready knowledge of self-positioning along with related facts and figures. (Stoerger, 2006) 10.0 Outcomes It is assumed that the possible outcome would reveal that E commerce could aid small to medium sized units in greatly improving performance and productivity. The model is based on the importance of communication between organizations. E commerce has close links to Supply Chain Management and both together help to boost efficiency and significantly impact productivity. (Chen, 2003) 11.0 References Caprette, David R; 2007; Writing Research Papers; Rice University; Retrieved on 1.7.08 from http://www.ruf.rice.edu/bioslabs/tools/report/reportform.html Chen, Milton M; 2003; B2B e-commerce in the United States, Europe, and Japan: a comparative study; Publication: Journal of Academy of Business and Economics; Retrieved on 1.7.08 from http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/internet-technology/752344-1.html Donat, Jiri; 2000; e-Business For Managers; Page Version 4.83 November 2004 (web paper V1.0 September 2003); Retrieved on 1.7.08 from http://www.calresco.org/donat/bookeng.htm Jones, D; 2002; Business-to-Business E-Commerce Systems in the Sewn Goods Supply Chain; Walter Wilhelm Associates; Retrieved on 1.7.08 from http://www.techexchange.com/thelibrary/B2Be-commerce.html Morris, Joanne; 1998; Electronic Commerce :Part One; Report/Law Commission, Wellington; Retrieved on 1.7.08 from http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/UploadFiles/Publications/Publication_49_95_R50.pdf Shen, L; 2004; E commerce and it effects on supply chain management; JTATM; Retrieved on 1.7.08 from http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/jtatm/volume4issue1/articles/Shen/shen_full_97_04.pdf Stoerger, Sharon; 2006; Research Ethics; University of Illinois; Retrieved on 1.7.08 from http://www.web-miner.com/researchethics.htm Read More