Sample Exam INFS 2019: Intro to e-business 30 marks 2h
Q1 Define e-commerce and describe how it differs from e-business? Where does e-commerce intersect with e- business? (3 marks)
E-commerce vs. E-business It s still a debate among consultants and academics e-business refers primarily to the digital enablement of transactions and processes within a firm, involving information systems under the control of the firm e-commerce: commercial transactions involving an exchange of value across organizational boundaries
The Difference between E-commerce and E-business?? Give some examples? External processes Internal processes. Complexity Issue uses uses the the same same technology but but with with different purpose 4
Process view E-commerce covers external processes : integration of a company with Web sites of customers, suppliers or intermediaries such as Web-based marketplaces; integration of technology with modestly redesigned processes for order handling, purchasing or customer service. E-business covers internal processes production, inventory management, product development, risk management, finance, knowledge management and human resources E-business strategy more complex, more focused on internal processes, and aimed at cost savings and improvements in efficiency, productivity and cost savings
Q2 What are the major limitations on the growth of e-commerce? Which is potentially the toughest to overcome? (3 marks)
Q2 digital divide, due to economical reasons skills infrastructure payment & trust issues not 100% secure medium limitations e.g. shopping experience reading experience <= difficult to influence
Q3 You will be aware that in my lectures during this semester, I have tried to discuss many of the issues which have arisen from several perspectives not simply from an Information Systems perspective. Why do you think it is important to look at e- commerce and e-business from multiple perspectives? (3 marks)
1st approach: Why Study E-commerce E-commerce technology is different (barriers, enablers, monitoring) E-commerce has challenged much traditional business thinking (Information asymmetry) E-commerce has a number of unique features (marketing, sales techniques)
2nd approach: Book structure: Academic Disciplines Technical Approaches Computer scientists and information system researchers Management scientists Business Approaches Information system researchers Economists Marketing Social Approaches Management Sociologists Legal scholars
e-business on three levels: Ethics as an example Figure 9.1, Page 498 Granularity: Government Society Individual Ethical Equilibrium, ongoing negotiations 11
Q4 Describe the five primary revenue models used by e-commerce firms. (3 marks)
Revenue Models Major types (combinations possible): Advertising revenue model Subscription revenue model Transaction fee revenue model Sales revenue model Affiliate revenue model return on invested capital (opportunity vs. alternative investment)
Advertising Revenue Model Web site that offers content, services and/or products also provides a forum for advertisements and receives fees from advertisers Where to place your add?
http://www.bookworm.com.au/bookworm/amazons.htm
Q5 Discuss why new and improved security measures are not enough to stop online crime. What is the missing ingredient?(3 marks)
Limitations of Cryptography Cryptography is about mathematics; security is about people. Most security problems cannot be solved with cryptography: Denial-of-service attacks. CGI attacks against Web servers. Viruses like Melissa (word macro) Some attacks against DNS servers. http://www.counterpane.com
The E-commerce Security Environment Figure 5.2, Page 255 18
Problems in Security Products Bad cryptography: algorithms and protocols. Bad programming: overflow bugs, CGI scripting errors. Bad installation: misconfigured firewalls, routers, etc. Bad users: poor password choices, social engineering. Bad products: don t solve the correct problem, don t scale, etc. http://www.counterpane.com
Mini - Case Similar to the cases you have solved during the past semester, the following text is addressing some major issues in e-business. You may answer the questions using dotpoints.
Issues / Analysis Amazon s privacy policy ownership of personal data revenue model trade-off sales, marketing, profiling Efficiency of privacy protection e.g. 3p3 / lack of standard compliance lack of adoption of anonymizing software (5%) lack of general awareness
Solutions Transparency and disclosure Choice options: Opt-in opt-out mechanisms Access: allows for inspection and correction Enforcement: Private industry self-regulation (safe harbour policies, privcy seals) Restricted collection: no sensitive medical or financial topics, sexual orientation Make your argument short and to the point Thanks!