Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
DESIRED OUTCOMES
The lists of courses above are not exhaustive, but they provide a balanced mixture of
business, application, data handling, networking, and Internet technology skills that will
equip the e-business analyst with the analytical skills to develop creative solutions that are
not only compliant with consumer laws and regulations specific to the county in which they
will providing goods and services but also provide creative solutions that will attract online
consumers with the element of stickiness that can be measured in business benefits.
The approach suggested in this chapter is based on integrating industry requirements
for employability skills and projections for the future online B2B and B2C business needs,
with those proposed by lecturing staff members at the university, who may be influenced by
their past experiences and skills mix. While this may cause some concern within the academic
discipline, the focus must be on the graduates and their ability to contribute to society with
minimal retraining and further skills acquisition on leaving the university to be able to enter
the workforce. If this means staff development for lecturers, recruitment of new lecturers,
contracting specialist teaching staff, or providing internships with industry partners, the
challenge should be grasped and new creative ways found to make our courses and programs
relevant, transferable, and adaptable to change.
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVE
Recognizing that universities hold a special place within the education sector in
promoting and stimulating learning and discussion, one must also recognize that upon
graduating, students want skills and personal qualities that will lead toward employment
within their chosen field. While examples of advertising campaigns by some universities that
include statements like “training for the real world,” “our graduates have the highest
employment rate of any other university,” the survey of courses and programs do not always
match the attributes and qualities outlined in the report on employability skills for the future.
CONCLUSION
While the courses and programs suggested in this chapter match the skills set required
for an e-business consultant within the Australian context, it is not suggested that they can
be easily transferred to other environments. Course developers will need to carry out their
own analysis of skills set requirements, prepare a matrix of desired outcomes, and develop
the courses and programs to suit.
The online community becomes more sophisticated in accessing and using the Internet
for B2B, B2C, C2C, and B2G commerce, and federal government policies are aimed at
encouraging more online business activity. So, the skill sets for the e business analyst
working with the SME require a balanced mix of e-business analysis and e-commerce technical
skills combined with leadership skills aimed at empowering the SME to take on a higher degree
of responsibility for the development of their e-business strategic plan, implementation, and
update. Because SMEs have limited time and limited budgets, they are more likely to engage
a local consultant, one they can trust and with which they can build a relationship, who has
the skill sets to analyze, design, develop, implement, and test an e-business strategy. To equip
the graduate, specific courses, subjects, and programs need to be developed that enable the
