Week 1 Assignment
Online File W1.1 1. List the business models used by M & S. * According to the Online File W1.1 there are multiple EC business models that are used by M & S. It appears that this business uses a blended business-to-consumer (or B2C) philosophy. They have brick and mortar locations but at the same time have tried to keep up with the ever changing marketplace by also providing internet retailing as well, sometimes referred to as e-tailing. * Portions of M & S’s business is also considered mobile commerce, more specifically, m-commerce and intrabusiness EC. This business model is outlined by the use of the mobile wireless devices to conduct business transactions such as information exchange, internal actions, etc. * While the two examples above are considered very broad and general EC business models, there are also a few specific EC business models that are exemplified by M & S. The first is the online direct marketing. This model is specific to the online portion of the business which involves the sale of products online. The second and third seem to go hand in hand at least for M & S, they are the electronic marketplace or exchange and supply chain improvers. M & S specifically mentioned their involvement in the fashion industry, as an isolated portion of their business as well as the fact that the improvements to their supply chain have made a significant difference within their business. 2. List the different EC transaction types used by M & S. * In terms of Electronic Commerce transaction types used by M & S they seem to be fairly common to many other businesses that have broken into the internet market. When utilizing the website version of the store consumers shop for goods via an internet based catalog of products. Once the customer has located the item or items they