e-Business Fundamentals

Bad because they don't have direct experience of survival in the world of online business. It starts off with an overview of the Internet and the volume of eCommerce taking place on it. This turns out to be surprisingly small, despite the obvious advantages and success stories such as Amazon and eBay. The next chapter deals with the technology of eCommerce - from web pages, through protocols, firewalls, and JavaScripts, to XML.



A chapter on Human Resources Management (HRM) turns out to be not much more than an exhortation to be kind to employees. Another on using databases gets slightly closer to useful practical advice - though this relates to sales campaigns and strategies rather than the technical requirements of getting the software to work.

A chapter on ethics looks at some of the problems which arise when using ICT in the office. Can we surf the Net in work's time? Should email be private? Do employees have a right to privacy?

The most interesting chapter, rather surprisingly to me, was on law. This explained the Data Protection Act, hacking, encryption, patents, and copyright.

A chapter on globalisation offers some very persuasive statistics on the language of the Internet. These suggest that any e-Commerce trader who ignores the non-English speaking majority of Net users is not taking business seriously.

The collection ends with an essay on e-Government. This looks at issues of 'New Public Management' in the UK - voting, health, and political accountability. These have all been given high priority in Blair's government - but actual delivery has so far been pathetic. Can you name the minister for e-Commerce?

This will make a successful example of 'background reading' for someone new to the subject, or a set text for an introductory course on e-Business.