E-Business

Parties in Networked e-Business

According to Grefen (2015), one of the dimensions of e-business classification is the parties in a networked e-business. The dimension refers to the options (values) that motivate networked e-businesses that engage in e-business activities. A good example relating to the parties dimension of e-business is the business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce. B2C involves commerce between a business and consumers.

A customer gathers information and purchases physical or informational goods via an electronic network and receives them either physically (for physical goods) or electronically (for informational goods). Some of the most common B2C e-business models include Alibaba, Amazon, Drugstore, and Noble, among others.

The B2C business model relates to the BOAT (Business, organization, architecture, and technology) framework. Firstly, the business aspect of the BOAT framework describes why the e-commerce scenario exists and the end goal that will be reached through the relationship (Pfisterer et al., 2016). To that end, a business like Alibaba exists to make profits by fulfilling customers’ needs.

On the other hand, the organization aspect of the BOAT framework describes the ‘how’ from an organizational perspective. It shows how the two parties are structured to reach the desired business goals. An e-business organization like Amazon must manage its inventory effectively, fulfill orders, and offer customer services post-sales.

On the other hand, the architecture relates to the software system a business uses to fulfill orders. An online retailer like Amazon has a software system that helps customers browse product catalogs, make payments, and track orders. Finally, the technology aspect of the BOAT framework provides technological details such as communication protocols and technological mechanics required to fulfill the e-business scenario (Pfisterer et al., 2016). For e-retailers like Amazon, there is a need to provide secure payment gateways to ensure customers can process payments safely and conveniently.

Objects of Networked e-Business

According to Grefen, (2015), the objects dimension of the e-business framework delves into the options (values) for the type of object that the e-business company manipulates. A good example of the object’s e-business scenario is a subscription-based data purchase, whereby a business subscribes to receive data analytics in the area of finance. For instance, ChartMogul provides financial and business data analytics to help businesses grow.

Once a business subscribes to the service, ChartMogul will collect, process, and disseminate the information to the subscriber as a service. Notably, two objects are exchanged in this scenario. On the one hand, the business provides the service, good, or a hybrid of the two, while the customer offers money in return.

The BOAT framework can also be used to describe this dimension of e-business. On the one hand, the business aspect involves the motivation for a company like ChartMogul to participate in business. In this case, the company is motivated by the desire to make an income from remittances offered by businesses that subscribe to its service. On the other hand, the organization aspect of the BOAT framework shows how the service provider is connected to subscribers to fulfill the trade arrangement.

The service provider must ensure data accuracy and offer customer support after providing the service. Thirdly, the architecture aspect, in this case, refers to the ‘how’ from a conceptual framework (Pfisterer et al., 2016). ChartMogul ensures data aggregation and storage and secures software systems to ensure customers access the data safely. Finally, the technology aspect of the BOAT, in this case, is the software system used to ensure subscribers access the service in real time. For instance, cloud computing technology facilitates seamless data access.

Time Scopes in e-Business

According to Grefen (2010), the time scope dimension of e-business refers to the duration within which the e-business relationship exists. This dimension shows the duration of the entire collaboration from the time of the first contact to the dissolution of the collaboration. It is worth noting that collaboration in e-business can last beyond the typical business processes. For instance, if a customer realizes that the product they purchased becomes faulty within the warranty period, they can return it for an exchange.

Time scopes in e-business are not expressed in absolute terms (weeks, months, years). Instead, they involve non-static dimensions such as semi-dynamic, dynamic, and ultra-dynamic scopes. These are relative time scales that show the dynamic nature of e-business operations. A good example of this dimension is when a retail business uses an e-business platform to manage inventory to avoid shortages or overstocking.

The business aspect of the BOAT framework regarding the time scope dimension of e-business shows the motive behind using an e-business platform to manage stock, which is to reduce the cost of managing excess inventory. Besides, the business seeks to avoid shortages and improve efficiency by delivering on time. On the other hand, the organization aspect of the BOAT framework shows how the business integrates supply chain operations and logistics to track stock movement automatically (Pfisterer et al., 2016).

On the other hand, the architecture used in this case refers to the real-time data processing tools that can detect stock movement and business partners such as suppliers (Pfisterer et al., 2016). Finally, some of the technologies employed to manage stock include cloud-based inventory management.

References

Grefen, P. (2010). Mastering e-business. Routledge.

Grefen, P. (2015). Beyond e-business: towards networked structures. Routledge.

Pfisterer, D., Radonjic-Simic, M., & Reichwald, J. (2016). Business Model Design and      Architecture for the Internet of Everything. Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks,        5(2), 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan5020007

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Instructions
Grade weight: Each Assignment is worth 6% of your total grade.

Course Objectives

• Demonstrate a knowledge of the fundamentals of e-Business
• Discuss the role of e-Business in practical business applications
  

  E-Business

Prompt:
For each of the three classification dimensions along which e-Business scenarios can be classified (parties, objects, and time scopes), provide an original example to illustrate its application and explain how this example relates to the BOAT (Business, Organization, Architecture, Technology) aspect dimension.

Instructions:

• Response should be approximately 2-3 pages (not counting the cover page and references page), supported with credible references and corresponding in-text citations, all in APA format.
• You must submit your assignment as a Word (.doc, .docx) attachment on the Assignments tab for the week. Assignments submitted in any other manner will not be accepted.