1) Referring to transaction costs theory and network economic theory explain the mechanism by which an intermediary can generate barriers to entry which will make its services impossible to dis intermediate.
2) Discuss the impact of ICT on marketing. For an organization of your choice recommend a suitable use of e-marketing tools. Explain how your suggested solution impacts upon the company’s transaction costs.
3) Critically discuss how the impact of ICT on contracting costs might influence pricing strategies.
4) Traditional shopping centers (malls and High Streets) are widely perceived to be under threat from online business-to-consumer developments. Why is this the case?
Why is this a problem for the operators of the shopping centers and for local communities? What can the operators of these traditional shopping centers do to reduce this threat?
5) What is lean supply chain management? What does this strategy offer businesses? What are the disadvantages of lean supply chain management?
Why does this strategy work better in some industries rather than others?
Make use of examples in your answer.
6) What security threats do organizations face in their e-business operations?
What are the potential consequences of these threats for organizations? Why are the actual consequences often less severe than the potential consequences? How do organizations use management strategies to address security threats?
