Assignment Task

Introduction

Welcome to the MN-M519 Digital Business module. As a teaching team, we look forward to working with you during this term and engaging in the very current, dynamic and vibrant topic of ebusiness / digital business. Electronic commerce, ebusiness (digital) business is an emerging and constantly changing area of business management and information technology critical to many organisations. There has been, and continues to be, much publicity and discussion about eBusiness / eCommerce. However, there remains a sense of confusion, suspicion, and misunderstanding surrounding the area, which has been exacerbated by the different contexts in which e-commerce is used, coupled with several related catchphrases and acronyms.  

Digital Business, in the broad sense, is the use of computer networks to improve organisational performance, while eCommerce, is considered by some as a subset of Digital Business and includes the use of internet technologies to conduct some form of trade. Increasing profitability, gaining market share, improving customer service and delivering products faster, are some of the organisational performance gains possible with e-commerce. It is a revolution in business practices. If organisations are going to take advantage of new Internet technologies, care must be taken to make a close link between corporate strategy and e-Business strategy. The module therefore covers the fundamentals of digital business and eCommerce. This booklet contains:

• an introduction to the module
• details of all learning interactions
• details of the core textbooks via the reading list
• information on assessment and feedback, including the coursework brief
• an overview of the entire module

The coursework assignment is a two-part group assignment:

1. A group assignment worth of the overall module mark with a word count of words. This report is a group assignment to allow two or three “Business Partners” to work together. It is vital to start thinking about who you would like to work with. Your groups should be confirmed by the 17 th February 2022 via canvas (further instructions to be given during the lecture / seminar sessions and on canvas).

2. A Group Video Presentation (10%) - The group video presentation

Coursework Brief

1. Report

Given COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown, you have recently been asked to investigate the benefits of using eCommerce for a start-up eTailer company (or expanding an existing one), and how it could be used to enhance the competitive advantage of the start-up. Ideally, you would like to advise on how to develop an e-commerce presence whilst minimising CO2 emissions.

Your task

Undertake research to understand the impact COVID-19 has had on businesses and on the economy, with a focus on how eCommerce can be used help businesses achieve competitive advantage. Before you start the company (or if you advising an existing company) you need to understand the opportunities it has created, and the impact on the economy. You also need to investigate the ways in which eCommerce can assist businesses to achieve competitive advantage