The Value of a Project-Based Approach to e-Commerce for the MBA

1
The Value of a Project-Based Approach to
e-Commerce for the MBA
Kamal Kakish Alan McCord
ISECON, 2006

• Dallas, TX

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Presentation Format

• Introduction
• Significance of Project-based Teaching
• Importance of e-Commerce
• International Nature of e-Commerce
• Course Design Pedagogical Approach
• Lessons Learned
• Outcomes And Conclusions
• Future Directions

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Introduction

• Dilemma of blending business with technology for
  MBA students
• Business strategies vs. technologies
• Value of project-based approach to e-commerce
• Custom made course at LTU to address e-commerce
  issues for MBA students
• Diverse business and technical backgrounds
• Rationale behind approach
• Real-life e-commerce experience
• Exposure to all e-commerce considerations
• Knowledge is Power
• With proper planning and execution

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Significance of Approach

• Textbook theory vs. real-world exposure
• Deeper knowledge of subject matter
• In-depth investigation
• Increased self-direction and motivation
• Self-customized learning
• Improved research and problem-solving skills
• MBA learning experience intertwined with real
  life
• Chards three-phase approach
• Discover ? investigate ? present

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The Importance of e-Commerce

• SBA Study
• E-commerce is a business leveler
• Potential of reaching a vast audience around the
  world
• Forrester Research estimates
• Black Monday Phenomenon
• Comparison shopping and intelligent purchasing
  agents
• B2B and B2G mandates
• Trusting relationships and other issues

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The International Nature of e-Commerce

• Dilemma of think globally, act locally
• Language and local dialects
• International laws and regulations
• Cultural differences
• International infrastructures
• Networks and Telecomm
• Loss of potential e-commerce revenues

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Philosophy Behind The Course

• Effectiveness of project-based approach
• Three Aspects
• Assigned and optional textbook readings
• Individual and mini assignments
• A real-world e-commerce project
• Custom-made learning experience
• Student testimonials
• Learning through doing
• Optimize understanding of e-commerce for MBA
  students
• Current and emerging business strategies and
  technologies

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Course Design and Pedagogical Approach

• Textbook
• Supplemental Readings
• Individual Assignments
• Individual Activities
• The Course Project
• Class Sessions

• Course Material
• Exams
• Material Delivery
• Lectures
• The Use of Technology
• Grading Scheme

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Lessons Learned

• MBA Student Diversity of Interests
• Additional Project Aspects/Categories
• Project Preparation, Updates, and Presentations

10
Future Directions

• Course taught over 10 times for gt200 students
• Average student evaluation of 4.4 on a 5-point
  scale
• Considerations
• Additional Project Aspects/Categories
• Splitting course into two
• Technical flavor
• Business focus
• Leverage of emerging technologies
• Web Servers
• E-commerce Software Packages
• E-commerce Security Packages
• Emerging CRM Software, And
• New Marketing Approaches

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Outcomes And Conclusions

• Exciting and meaningful coursework
• Appreciation for a wide range of e-commerce
  concepts and business strategies
• Improved business skills
• Improved collaboration skills
• Ability to develop a real-world e-commerce
  project experience to a real-world problem/need

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References

• Currie, W. (2004). Value creation from e-business
  models. Oxford Burlington, NY, Elsevier
  Butterworth-Heinemann.
• Dengel, A., M. Junker, et al. (2004). Reading and
  learning adpative content recognition. Berlin
  New York, Springer.
• Epstein, M. J. (2004). Implementing e-commerce
  strategies a guide to corporate success after
  the Dot.com bust. Westport, Conn., Praeger.
• Geunes, J. (2005). Applications of supply chain
  management and E-commerce research. New York,
  Springer ScienceBusiness Media.
• Kakish, K. (2004). Business Strategies in
  Electronic Commerce - Course Evaluations. LTU COM
  End of Term Course Evaluations, LTU College of
  Management End of Term Course Evaluations.
• Kakish, K. (2004). "Business Strategies in
  Electronic Commerce - MGT 6233 Syllabus."
• Kakish, K. (2005). MGT 6233 e-Commerce - Course
  Notes, Lawrence Technological University -
  College of Management.
• LTU (2004). MGT 6233 Final Course Evaluation -
  Spring, 2004, Lawrence Technological University.

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References Contd

• Lubbe, S. and J. M. Van Heerden (2003). The
  economic and social impacts of e-commerce.
  Hershey, PA, Idea Group Pub.
• Lucas, H. C. (2002). Strategies for electronic
  commerce and the Internet. Cambridge, Mass., MIT
  Press.
• Nevaer, L. E. V. (2002). The dot-com debacle and
  the return to reason. Westport, Conn., Quorum
  Books.
• Nikravesh, M. (2004). Enhancing the power of the
  Internet. Berlin New York, Springer-Verlag.
• Raisinghani, M. S. (2002). Cases on worldwide
  e-commerce theory in action. Hershey, PA, Idea
  Group Pub.
• Ratner, J. (2003). Human factors and Web
  development. Mahwah, N.J., Lawrence Erlbaum
  Associates.
• Royer, S. (2005). Strategic management and Online
  selling creating competitive advantage with
  intangible Web goods. London New York,
  Routledge.
• Samii, M. and G. Karush (2004). International
  business and information technology interaction
  and transformation in the global economy. New
  York, Routledge.
• Schneider, G. (2005). Electronic Commerce,
  Thomson Course Technology.
• Schneider, G. P. (2004). Electronic Commerce
  The Second Wave. Cambridge, MA, Thomson Course
  Technology
• Segovia, J. (2002). E-Commerce and intelligent
  methods. Heidelberg, Physica.
• Steinfield, C. W. (2003). New directions in
  research on e-commerce. West Lafayette, Ind.,
  Purdue University Press.
• Straub, D. W. (2004). Foundations of
  net-enchanced organizations. Hoboken, NJ, Wiley.
• Tatnall, A. (2004). "Web portals the new gateways
  to Internet information and services." from
  http//aeryn.mit.edu/emetrics/count.php?http//lib
  proxy.mit.edu/login?urlhttp//library.books24x7.c
  om/library.asp? Bisbn159140438X

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QA

• Your questions are welcome