module specification

This module provides an in-depth knowledge of ecommerce and ebusiness. It introduces the concepts and practical techniques for ecommerce and ebusiness. Ebusiness strategy, models, processes, opportunities in marketing, CRM and procurement as well as legal, ethical, social and global issues are covered. The module also equips students with knowledge and skills to build a themed on-line interactive ecommerce web site with shopping cart for an SME, incorporating a range of software applications and script programming. 

Successful completion of Level 5 or equivalent

-  provide students an understanding of key concepts and techniques of ecommerce and ebusiness
- equip students with knowledge and skills to build a themed on-line interactive ecommerce web site with shopping cart for an SME, incorporating a range of software applications and script programming
- develop skills to reflect on the practical objectives through the provision of documentation recording the problem-solving experience
 

 ecommerce and ebusiness fundamentals
business adoption, digital technologies, ebusiness capability
 ecommerce and ebusinessstrategy
strategy analysis, objectives, definition, and implementation    
 ebusiness models and infrastructure
revenue models, internet standards, web technology
 server-side programming for ecommerce
creating dynamic web pages with a server-side programming language (e.g. C#.NET)
 ebusinessprocess management
the value chain, process management, characteristics of process, types, role of IT
 displaying and searching products from a database
database connectivity, creating the product catalog,displaying products, search the catalog and products
 e-marketing
marketing  plan, situation analysis, strategy, tactics, action, control
 search engine optimisation
domain registration, search engine tools, page rank
 transction processing in ecommerce website
customer registration, marking order, shopping cart, check out
 security management in ecommerce
password protection, security and session management
 e-procurement
supply chain managament, risks and impacts, implementation
 e-CRM
conversion marketing, customer acquisition, retention and extension
 legal, ethical, social and global issuesin the context of ecommerce and ebusiness

Topics will be introduced through the medium of formal lectures, supported by tutorial and workshop sessions, and blended learning as follows:
- Lecture (1 hour / week):
Introduction of the major topics identified in the syllabus, plus suggestions for practical exercises, directed reading and other further study
- Tutorial/ Workshop (2 hour / week):
Consolidating understanding of topics introduced in the lecture via class and group discussions, informal presentations and other activities in the tutorial sessions.
Practical skills of ecommerce and ebusinesswill be further developed through lab-based workshops. Specific practical exercises are set to support students' development of skills in building a themed on-line interactive ecommerce web site with shopping cart for an SME.
- Blended learning:
Using the University’s VLE and online tools to provide deliver content, assessment and feedback, to encourage active learning, and to enhance student engagement and learning experience.

Students will be expected and encouraged to produce reflective commentaries on the learning activities and tasks that they carry out to complete their work.

LO1. Understand the key concepts and techniques of ecommerce and ebusiness
LO2. Appreciation of the e-business opportunities in a variety of application contexts
LO3. Develop effective e-business strategies for the delivery of products and services
LO4. Design and develop a themed on-line interactive ecommerce web site
LO5. Critically evaluate and reflect on the problem-solving process
LO6. Appreciation of legal, ethical, social and global issues in the context of ecommerce and ebusiness
 

The module will be assessed by a piece of coursework (60%) and a 2-hour unseen examination (40%).

The coursework is designed mainly to assess the practical aspects of the module. It is divided into two parts: writing a business plan (LO2, LO3) and building an ecommerce website (LO4). It requires the student to apply their knowledge from theoretical study on the module to produce a business plan. It also requires students to build a themed on-line interactive ecommerce web site with shopping cart for an SME to demonstrate their practical skills for problem-solving and critical thinking/evaluation. (LO5)

The unseen examination will provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the key concepts and techniques of ecommerce and ebusiness (LO1) and their ability to apply these techniques appropriately to the solution of given problems/scenarios. (LO2,LO6) The examination will test the students' retention, understanding and insight of material drawn from the module.
 

Bibliography:
1. Chaffey, D., 2011. E-Business and E-Commerce Management: Strategy, Implementation and Practice 4th ed., Prentice Hall.
2. Darie, C. & Watson, K., 2009. Beginning ASP.NET E-Commerce in C#: From Novice to Professional 1st ed., Apress.
3. Papazoglou, M.P. &Ribbers, P., 2006. e-Business: Organizational and Technical Foundations 1st ed., Wiley.

Web resources:
Student support site for text - http://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_chaffey_ebus_4
SQL Quick Reference - http://www.w3schools.com/sql/sql_quickref.asp
ASP.NET Tutorial - http://www.w3schools.com/aspnet/default.asp