Course Catalogue

Module Code and Title:                BIM303 General Management Approaches to E-Commerce

Programme:                                      Bachelor of Business Administration

Credit Value:                                     12

Module Tutors:                                 Tshering Yangchen,Vijay Gurung,Shreejana Pradhan,Robert L Holliday,Suchibrota Dutta.

Module Coordinator:                        Vijay Gurung

General Objective: This module provides students with broad intermediate-level understanding of E-Commerce functions and models, and how a business can apply them in order to gain competitive advantage or to reach its strategic objectives. Furthermore, the module gives students necessary overview of, and insight into, the latest (payment and banking) technologies used in E-Commerce. Lastly, it helps them recognize, analyse and make plans to counter the (security) risks that are a continuous threat to a business when engaging in E-Commerce.

 

Learning Outcomes – On completion of the module, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the fundamentals of E-Commerce
  2. Propose E-Commerce functions and models to gain competitive advantage or further a business’ (strategic) objectives
  3. Discuss the benefits of E-payment systems as part of an E-Commerce solution and recognize the risks involved
  4. Discuss the benefits of online banking as part of E-Commerce solution and recognize the risks involved
  5. Assess the security risks of the use of E-Commerce solution and consequently define possible counter measures
  6. Select appropriate security measures to counter potential cybercrimes that could have a high impact on business operations
  7. Select the best E-Commerce solution for a particular business problem
  8. Formulate E-Commerce strategy, including the effective use of the most relevant technologies for a particular business situation

 

Teaching and Learning Approach:

Approach

Hours per week

Total credit hours

Lectures

2

30

Class discussion, class exercises, quizzes, presentations

1

15

Computer lab practical

1

15

Independent Study, written assignments and case studies, project work

4

60

Total

120

 

Assessment Approach:

  1. Class Exercises: Portion of Final Marks-5%

One in-class exercise will be given, in a staggered manner throughout the semester, to groups of 4 students, in which they have to analyse a specific E-Commerce subject. The subjects are given to the whole class (all groups), but any group could be chosen after the initial discussion period to present the analysis.

1%       quality of the analysis of the subject

2%       participation of each individual student in the group

2%       quality and delivery of the answers by each individual student

  1. Quizzes: Portion of Final Marks-10%

Two written quizzes (5% each, 30 min duration) will be conducted (distributed before and after midterm) to test the student’s understanding of the different E-Commerce concepts.

  1. Computer Lab Practical: Portion of Final Marks-10%

One in-class practical exercise will be given to the students to make them both understand the different technologies and how to apply these in specific business situations.

5%       demonstrate understanding of the relevant technologies

5%       appropriate application of the concept to business situations

  1. Case Studies: Portion of Final Marks-10%

A case related to specific business issues will be given to the students for analyses. Each individual student will receive different cases with different questions. Students will submit a report of 600 words which will be assessed based on:

4%       quality of the background analysis

4%       quality of the conclusions, recommendations, or implementation plans

2%       quality of the writing (language, organization, referencing)

  1. Practical Project: Portion of Final Marks-15%

One individual project containing multiple business problems will be given to each individual student. Each student has to do research with regard to the particular business problems to find out which solution is, or which solutions are, best applicable. Each student is expected to apply all the concepts learned in the class to solve the problems at hand. Students will have to submit a written report of 1000 words. The report will be evaluated based on following criteria.

3%       quality of the research analysis

2%       shown understanding of the business problems

3%       quality of the solution to the business issues

2%       understanding of technology

  1. Presentation: Portion of Final Marks-10%

One individual presentation of 5-7 min duration will be given by each student based on their executed practical project, followed by 3-5 min Q&A. Evaluation is based on the following criteria:

2%       quality of speaking

3%       quality of the presentation materials (content)

3%       demonstrated understanding of the topic

2%       answering questions from the audience

  1. Midterm Examination: Portion of Final Marks-15%

Students will take a written exam of 2-hour duration covering topics up to the mid-point of the semester.

  1. Semester-end Examination: Portion of Final Marks-25%

The module will have a semester-end exam for 2 hours covering the entire syllabus. The question will be divided into two parts – Part A (carrying 40% of the exam weightage) will be mostly of short answer including objective questions. Part-B (carrying almost 60% of the exam weightage) will be mostly of essay type or an extended response to the given question. This part of the question requires students to apply, analyse, and evaluate or construct knowledge and skills. Cases will also be used to test the levels of knowledge.

 

Areas of assignments

Quantity

Weighting

A.    Class exercises    

1

5%

B.    Quizzes

2

10%

C.   Computer lab practical

1

10%

D.   Case studies        

1

10%

E.    Practical project            

1

15%

F.    Presentation   

1

10%

G.   Midterm examination

1

15%

Total Continuous Assessment (CA)

 

75%

H.   Semester-end Examination (SE)

 

       25%

TOTAL

 

100%

 

Pre-requisites: BIM101 Introduction to Computer and Business Applications

Subject Matter:

  1. Basics of E-Commerce
    • A brief introduction to E-commerce
    • Evolution of E-Commerce and market changes
    • Essential requirements for E-Commerce
    • Technologies used in E-Commerce
    • Application of E-Commerce solution in traditional business problems
    • Requirements for developing E-Commerce websites based on the business problems

 

  1. Application of Business Models in E-Commerce
    • The properties of the Business Models
    • Selecting appropriate Business models for E-Commerce
    • Application of business models and transactions to different market environments
    • Identifying vendors for E-Commerce
    • Application of the concept of Digital marketing in various business environments

 

  1. Introduction to Electronic Payment System
    • Concept of Payment system
    • Selecting an appropriate payment system for E-Commerce business
    • Creating contracts / agreements for payment methods with different banking companies
    • Handling E-Payment issues
    • E-payment systems and risks

 

  1. Internet Banking
    • Introduction to the internet banking system
    • Internet banking services and E-Commerce
    • Identifying the importance of internet banking services for business problems
    • Handling electronic money transfer and associated risks
    • Setting up tele-banking services for the customers

 

  1. E-Commerce Security Systems
    • The threats for E-Commerce businesses
    • Selecting appropriate security software for E-Commerce websites
    • Application of Digital Signature for managers
    • Cyber Crimes and finding solutions by the manager based on the available technologies
    • Security solutions to different E-Commerce Businesses

 

Reading Lists:

  1. Essential Readings
    • Award, E.M. (2009). Electronic Commerce: From vision to fulfillment (3rd ed.). New Delhi, Prentice-Hall of India Pvt Ltd.
    • Larsson, T. (2016) Ecommerce evolved: The essential playbook to build, grow & scale a successful ecommerce business (1st ed.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
    • Madan, S. (2010). E-Commerce. New Delhi: Mayur Paperback.
  2. Additional Readings
    • Chan, H. (2001). E-Commerce, fundamentals and applications (1st ed.). Wiley India Pvt Ltd.
    • Rayport, J.F., & Jaworshi B. (2003). Introduction to E-Commerce (2nd ed.). New York: Mac graw Hill.
    • Dhawan, N. (2012). Introduction of E-Commerce (2nd Edition). International Book House Pvt Ltd.
    • Kalakota, R., &Whinston, A. (1997). Electronic commerce: A manager's guide (1st ed.). New Delhi: Pearson India.
    • Mohapatra, S. (2013). E-Commerce strategy: Text and cases. Boston MA: Springer USA.
    • Rajaraman, V. (2009). Essentials of E-Commerce technology (1st ed.). PHI Learning Private Limited.

 

Date: July, 2017
Royal Thimphu College