Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
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Unconvinced of the benefits of electronic commerce for the company
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Quality of telecommunications services inadequate for e-commerce
The reasons offered by SMEs in Australia for not engaging in e-commerce, outlined in
the Small Business Index (2000), identify similar reasons for not engaging in e commerce:
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A concern that the use of the Internet for e-commerce could lead to uncontrolled growth
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Satisfaction with current business arrangements
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Uncertainty about the quality and availability of products, and about delivery and
supply arrangements
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Fear of alienating intermediaries
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Concern about not having enough understanding of technology to be able to manage
and direct the adoption of e-commerce, and about how these skills would be assessed
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Time and expense
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A belief that the business products or services did not lend themselves to the Internet
To overcome these concerns for not adopting e-commerce by SMEs, locally and
globally, university graduates in e-commerce and e-business courses must possess the
knowledge and skills of e-business analysts who will take on leadership roles, empowering
SMEs to take on higher degrees or responsibilities for the development of the e-business
strategic plan, so they have ownership over the project, raise awareness, and develop self-
confidence, leading to a successful implementation. The Australian Computer Society's
(ACS) “Careers In Information Technology” handbook (1998) defined the duties of a
business analyst as “providing more detailed project objectives, system requirements,
business process analysis and cost-benefit analysis.” The ACS defined the personal
qualities of the Internet and e-commerce business analyst as being the following:
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A business outcome approach
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An ability to conceptualize and think creatively, and a capacity to articulate visions
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Good oral and written communications skills
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Interpersonal skills to evoke commitment from the client
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Sound administrative skills and good analytical and reporting abilities
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Effective time management and personal organization skills
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An understanding of user needs
STRUCTURED METHODOLOGY
Most lecturers in electronic commerce programs have an Information Systems back-
ground and, therefore, would be aware of the “top-down model” used by business analysts
as a logical approach for determining the technology specifications that support the business
needs and requirements, as described by Goldman, Rawles, and Marga (1999). The emphasis
in this model is in the business layer (Figure 1), where the focus is on the analysis of the
business objectives as the starting point, and should also be the starting place for e-commerce
adoption and diffusion.
