IRMA-International.org: Creator of Knowledge
Information Resources Management Association
Advancing the Concepts & Practices of Information Resources Management in Modern Organizations

What Should University Courses Teach Graduates so They Can Be Successful E-Business Analysis for SMEs

What Should University Courses Teach Graduates so They Can Be Successful E-Business Analysis for SMEs
View Free PDF
Author(s): Anthony Stiller (University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia)
Copyright: 2002
Pages: 4
Source title: Issues & Trends of Information Technology Management in Contemporary Organizations
Source Editor(s): Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-930708-39-6.ch062
ISBN13: 9781930708396
EISBN13: 9781466641358

Abstract

While the vast amount of literature points to the benefits of adopting e-commerce as a tool to improve efficiency, reducing transaction costs, broaden the customer base, open up new markets, the provision of faster and more reliable communication by using new technologies and the Internet. Small-to-medium enterprises (SME’s) in Australia have not rushed to become early adopters and regardless of Federal and State Government initiatives such as awareness and training courses, an infrastructure environment conducive for the adoption of e-commerce as well as financial incentives, SME’s concerns for not engaging in e-commerce highlight the need for our undergraduate and postgraduate courses to equip our professionals with skills sets that focus on e-business strategic planning as well as the e-commerce technology skills that will enable them to design, develop and implement an e-business strategy that meets the need of the SME. Since SME’s do not have a vast budget or knowledge of e-commerce development, they are more likely to contract a consultant from their local community rather than from a major firm with employees having a range of specialist skills. This paper will focus on the skills required by a professional consultant working with an SME within their local community requiring a balanced mix of e-business and e-commerce technical skills combined with communication and leadership qualities. The result being a higher level of ownership and self-confidence by the SME when adopting Internet technologies.

Body Bottom