D2 - Discussion Board post for Chapters 3 & 4 – 5%

In this case study you are asked to assume that a company that has traditionally used the 'bricks and mortar' model of doing business has asked you to answer this question:

What are the pros and cons of moving to Internet-based B2C e-commerce?

Your answer should first explain what Internet-based B2C e-commerce is, (with examples) then give at least three specific advantages (benefits) and three disadvantages (possible problems). Be specific (e.g. “system may be too expensive” is worth 0!)

To give an adequate answer, you will need to use many of the terms and concepts from the lectures and your text, and draw extensively from examples of real companies' experiences to illustrate your points. You can find many ideas in the text Chapters 3 & 4 that you can use (eg p 73, 77, 91, 113ff, 117ff, 121, 125, 135, 139, 144)

To give an excellent answer (ie. ‘A’ quality) you will need to draw from research outside the text – find examples of B2C successes (or failures) on the web or in your own experience, or draw from other articles that outline pros and cons. Be sure to attribute your sources!

Guidelines for responding:

Answers to D2 must be posted in the D2 Forum in the discussion board for your section of MGT2338. Do not post in the Discussion Board for course called “06W_MGT2338_314_315_316_317_318” (this Board is for questions and answers only).

This exercise may be done alone, or in teams of 2 or 3 students (teams larger than 3 are not permitted). If done as a team, all team mates must be in the same section. Each team (or individual working alone) must open one (and only one) thread. Ensure that the last name of each contributor appears in the thread header. You may enter one to three posts (use reply button for posts after the first) to complete your contribution to the discussion. Do not reply to the posts of others, or post questions in this forum.

Note that spelling and grammar do affect comprehension (and your mark!). Incerrek spulling and gramma offen make riting un-understand-ible! The spell checker in Bb will help, but remember that it is not prefect. You will still need to proof read you work!

Correct attribution is important! Algonquin College values individual and original thinking. It believes one person’s words, images, or ideas are his or her own and must be respected as such. Plagiarism, whether done deliberately or accidentally, is defined as presenting someone else’s work, in whole or in part, as one’s own, and includes submission of another work (for example, ideas, wording) without crediting that source. This includes your Professor’s lectures and the Internet, as well as books and periodicals. Adherence to acceptable standards of academic honesty is a vital aspect of the learning process at Algonquin College. Whether plagiarism is deliberate or accidental, the College considers the action unacceptable and will impose sanctions reflecting the severity of the incident. These may be a requirement that the student complete the course on academic integrity, a requirement that the student submit additional work, assigning the grade of zero for the assignment, assigning the grade of F for the course, or suspension from the College. A record will also be kept in the student's file. For full details see Algonquin College Directive E43.

Algonquin’s standard for attribution is the APA format. If you know how to use it, do so. If not, here’s a simplified set of instructions: add a reference number after the quoted material (1), then, at the bottom of your post provide (for each reference) a footnote that looks like this:

(1) Author (if any), date of publication (if known), Title (of book or web article), Publisher (or name of Web site), actual URL of page (for Web site only)

Deadline for posting: see Weekly Planner. Review the marking rubrics (below) before final posting to be sure of your A+!

Evaluation – D2 Forum Name(s):________________________________

Mark (out of…)	Assigned for…
7	· Demonstrates clear understanding of Internet-based B2C e-commerce, with examples · Three clear, specific pros, and three clear, specific cons (minimum) · Pros and cons each supported by a clear expanation/example from text/lecture Quoted material attributed correctly (ref no. after quoted text; ftnote with Author, date of pub, Title, Publisher, URL of page) · Clear writing, headings used, no grammar/spelling errors serious enough to affect readability
3	· original thinking – adds from web research, and/or experience · research clearly related to pros and/or cons of Internet-based B2C e-commerce · Provides correct attribution for added material

Mark ____________10 (20% penalty per day after deadline.)