Global Electronic Commerce: Theory and Case Studies

By Theodore H.K. Clark and J. Christopher Westland

Over the past two decades, businesses in virtually every sector of the world economy have benefited from the technologies of electronic commerce -- the automation of commercial transactions using computer and communications technologies. Electronic commerce has spurred far-reaching changes in business, on multiple fronts, using many technologies. This book provides a deep, practical understanding of these technologies and their use in e-commerce. Unlike other books on e-commerce, it does not concentrate solely on the Internet. Instead, it suggests that the Internet is only a bridge technology -- attractive because of its low cost and global reach, but unattractive because of its slow speed and poor user interface.Each of the twelve chapters contains an overview of a current theory or practice followed by one or more business case studies. A combination of academic theory and case studies provides a comprehensive picture of how businesspeople use computers to revolutionize the selling and delivery of their products and services.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0262232057
• ISBN13: 9780262232050
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Mit Pr
• Length: 592 Pages
• Weight: 2.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.5" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

SPECTACULAR

Verry nicley layed out. The information contained in this book was very relavent and detailed. An excellent and reliable source of information. A recomendable textbook.

interesting...

I found this book very interesting and resorceful...so far I have read it 7 times and recomended it to all of my friends. The information is layed out very clearly and it is very understandible.

Good textbook, unique material

I purchased this text for a course in e-commerce. I have not found another text that covers e-commerce infrastructure as well as this book. Organization and style are adequate.

Historical context of e-commerce

The chapters and case studies in the book come from a unique viewpoint which places electronic commerce in the context of the recent history of business. I liked the approach, though it may not be for everyone. The book could be better integrated, and the tone of writing tends more toward that of a textbook. On the whole I found the material to be well thought through.

One of the most insightful texts on e-commerce

Westland and Clark's textbook takes a pragmatic view of e-commerce. They contend that what we see now is the current stage in several decades' evolution of business automation. This evolution has progressed from the back office, to the desktop, to the Web. New technologies build on old, and the 'new economy' is not really that new. It was interesting to see the variance in reviewers impressions. This is a textbook rather than trade press (e.g., 'Customers.com') and is challenging to read cover-to-cover. Perhaps it is better used as a reference. The authors give little attention to dot.com retailing, but contend that this is not where e-commerce will prevail. The crash of dot.com stocks has validated their claims.