Part A: Short-Answer Questions

Answer each question in one to two paragraphs.

1. What are the major differences between pure play e-commerce and bricks-and-clicks operations?  What are the benefits and limitations of each?

2. One of the key motivations for developing an e-commerce site is immediate access to a much larger market. Explain why an increased market reach may have benefits, and describe its limitations.

3. What are the three most important mediation issues in e-commerce?  Give an example of each.

4. What are the key factors that determine e-commerce success? What factors determine its failure?

5. What are information portals, and why are they an important benefit of e-commerce?

6. Explain why it is difficult to categorize e-commerce business models. 

Part B: Case Analyses

Your analysis should be from two to three paragraphs in length and should not exceed one page for each case.

Case 1

You have been hired as the project manager of information technology for a fast-growth e-commerce business in the retailing industry. You are in charge of development of the company's e-commerce system. Consider your options for building the site in-house with existing staff or outsourcing the entire operation. What is the recommendation that fits best the interest of the company?  Explain why and support your analysis with good arguments?

Case 2

Select an industry of your choice and explain how e-commerce has changed its industry structure (e.g., travel, auto, music, education, banking, and retailing).

Case 3

Read "Amazon: E-Tailing Grows Despite the Slumping Economy" and answer the questions below.

1. What challenges arise from Amazon's need to expand into new markets?

2. Has Amazon's fundamental business model changed significantly since its early years? Explain why or why not?

3. If Amazon were just starting up today, would its success be as remarkable? Explain why or why not.