International E-Commerce

BUS 790 Sec. M52 Fall 2000 Syllabus

Instructor

Name: Dirk Baldwin
Email: baldwin@uwp.edu
Office: MOLN 355
WWW: http://www.uwp.edu/academic/mis/baldwin
Phone: 595-2449
Office Hours: 2-3:30 PM T, 9-11AM R

Texts

Harvard Cases (note you must pay the bookstore for access to the cases on the Web)

Readings from the Web

Blackboard Site

A course site has been set up at  http://blackboard15.imt.uwm.edu. This site will contain announcements, links to relevant web sites and readings, discussion groups, virtual chat, and grades.

Overview of Course

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) refers to the strategic use of networks and computers to support the transaction of goods and services between customers and suppliers. E-commerce has a significant impact on business strategy and on how organizations and individuals interact. One impact of e-commerce and the internet, in particular, is the availability and potential of international markets. However, international e-commerce poses many challenges including language, currency, culture, technology, distribution, tax, and law. Today's manager should able to identify potential international e-commerce applications. They must also identify and solve the many issues involved in this arena. This course describes the issues related to international e-commerce and reviews the possible solutions that lead to a successful international e-commerce application.

Course Objectives

Students in International E-commerce will be able to:

  1. Explain the technologies associated with international e-commerce.
  2. Identify international e-commerce applications.
  3. Explain the challenges associated with international e-commerce.
  4. Identify possible solutions to the international e-commerce challenges.
  5. Design a simple web that supports international aspect of a business.
  6. Develop a strategic plan for an international e-commerce application.

Learning Assessment

The objectives above will be assessed through the use of homework and a project. The homework consists of case analyses and reports related to international e-commerce topics.. The project is a group project that requires the development of a plan for an e-commerce application that is targeted for a particular region of the world. This project will be described in more detail below.

Grading Policy

Grades are assigned as follows: 93-100% A, 90-92% A-, 87-89% B+, 83-86% B, 80-82% B-, 77-79% C+, 73-76% C, 70-73% C-, less than 70% F. Final grades are based on the following percentages: Homework 40%, Project 50%, Class Participation 10%.

Outline and Course Schedule

The following outline and schedule may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.

Date

Readings

HW

Subject

Oct. 29     Introduction to E-Commerce, Marketing and International Marketing
Nov. 5 Case 1   The technology of e-commerce
Opportunities and Advantages related to  Inter.  E-commerce
Introduction to International E-commerce challenges
Nov. 12 Cases 2-5 HW 1 Moving into Foreign Markets
Business Models for International E-Commerce
International E-commerce in China
Nov. 19 Cases 6-7

HW 2

International E-commerce and the law
International E-commerce in the EU
Nov. 26 Cases 8-9 HW 3 Cultural challenges and solutions
Developing Trust in the Marketspace
Developing an international marketing  plan.
International E-commerce in Latin America
Dec. 3 Cases 9-10 HW 4 Distribution challenges and solutions
Dec. 10 Case 11 HW 5 Technology challenges and solutions
Dec. 17

Project Due

Cases

  1. The Ten Deadly Mistakes of Wanna-Dots
  2. Opening the Doors for Business in China
  3. China’s Electronic Commerce Initiative: Leapfrogging Development Stages
  4. China Internet Corporation
  5. Dell: Selling Directly, Globally
  6. Multijurisdictional Compliance in Cyber Space
  7. Charles Schwab Inc: Creating an International Marketspace
  8. E-Commerce in Latin America
  9. SubMarino.com: The Challenges of B2C E-Commerce in Latin America
  10. Officenet (A): Making Entrepreneurship Work in Argentina
  11. StarMedia: Launching a Latin American Revolution

Project

Teams of 3 to 5 students must propose and plan an international e-commerce application. This application could be a new web-based business, an extension of an existing web-based business to international markets, a new B2B or B2C international application for  an organization or an extension of an existing internet application to international markets. In all cases, the objectives of the application must be clearly defined. These objectives must be accompanied with measures that indicates the applications success or failure. You must also provide details that allow others to judge the merits of the application. You should include cost estimates, potential funding sources, risks (focusing on international issues) and a development/implementation plan. You should include an analysis of the industry and international market in which the application operates, indicating why the web application provides a competitive advantage. In addition, you should include a description of the look-and-feel and the functionality of the system. You can develop a simple prototype of the application using any internet development tool.

Course Policy

Group Work on Homework Assignments

Unless otherwise indicated, students must complete their own homework. Copying homework is not allowed. If help is needed, the student is encouraged to ask the professor or some other "expert" in e-commerce.. 

Late Homework

Homework must be turned in at the beginning of class. There is a 10% per day penalty for late homework.

Class Preparation

Read materials before class. A portion of your final grade is based on class participation.

Disabled Students

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.


Last modified: October 29, 2001
Dirk Baldwin, MIS, UW-Parkside, dirk.baldwin@uwp.edu