About this Module

The United States economy and economies around the world are in the process of being transformed by information technologies (IT). The United States is rapidly moving from an industrial economy to an information economy. There is not a single day that goes by without articles related to Ecommerce in such publications as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Week or US News. There is a reason for such extensive coverage by the press. Firms are spending billions of dollars on information technology to create the IT infrastructure needed to compete in a  digital economy. As the process of "getting wired" continues, the need to understand how the new environment is and will affect enterprises and individuals increases. We are rapidly discovering that business models that have evolved over hundreds of years no longer work. Every aspect of a business is in the process of being transformed; firms are being forced to adapt or fail.

The Internet, in general, and the World Wide Web, in particular, have had a dramatic impact on how individuals and organizations exchange goods and services. The Internet has given rise to new organizational forms (e.g., virtual organizations) and markets which feature electronic transaction models in new categories of goods and services. These developments have profound implications for society and raise several legal and policy issues that are yet largely unresolved (e.g., copyright, taxation, etc.). The convergence of computing and communications technologies is having a dramatic impact on such organizational processes as new product development, resource acquisition, order fulfillment and customer service.

At the same time, barriers to trade and other forms of business around the world are falling. These two phenomenon are providing opportunities like never before. Today, most firms, regardless of size, have opportunities that extend well beyond national boundaries. At the same time, however, they face increased risks due to competition from firms in other nations.

In this course, we will provide you with an understanding of what the information revolution means to you, to firms and to industries. Our emphasis will be on how business models are changing in a digital world and how global business environments are affected by and affect these changes.

Module Objectives

The primary objectives of this module are

1.	to understand how the transition from an industrial to an information economy will affect you, firms, industries and nations.
2.	to understand how Ecommerce is affecting our existng business models.
3.	to understand how differences in economic, cultural & polital systems across nations affect our ability to do business in other countries, with the changes that are taking place in our economy.
4.	to provide you with a foundation that will enable you to think about the issues and resolve problems in our rapidly changing economy.

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Methodology

Our class sessions will be a mixture of lectures, discussions of readings, presentations by invited speakers, discussion of cases, and discussion of team projects. It is absolutely essential that you read the assigned material prior to the class session in which it will be discussed. Failure to come prepared to discuss the material will seriously affect your class contribution grade. Class attedance alone will have no effect on your class contribution grade.

A team project is a very important part of the course. The purpose of the team project is to allow you to apply the material we discuss to a real-world problem. You team must develop a plan for a new, information economy business, often referred to as a dotcom venture in the press. Your analysis must include an analysis of its potential (positive and negative) globally.

Grading

Your course grade will be determined as follows:

Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities

The University Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities establishes rights to which you are entitled and the responsibilities which you must assume. Along with attendance and preparation for classes, each of you is responsible for promoting high academic standards. The College of Business and Public Administration does not tolerate cheating, plagiarism, disruption of class or other inappropriate behavior. The College will take action against students who cheat, commit acts of plagiarism, or conduct themselves inappropriately in the classroom. Proven cases of plagiarism or cheating will normally result in a student being denied admission to or being dismissed from the College of Business and Public Administration. Inappropriate classroom behavior may result in a student being withdrawn from the course.

Note: Beepers and mobile phones should not be heard during class sessions. Audible alerts from these devices are extremely disruptive. If you have to leave them on, make sure they are in an inaudible alert mode.

Policy on Instructional Modifications

Students who have a disability or condition which may impair their ability to complete assignments or otherwise satisfy course criteria are encouraged to meet with the course instructor to identify, discuss and document any feasible instructional modifications or accommodations. The student should notify the instructor no later than the end of the second week of the semester/term in which the course is offered or no later than the end of the second week after such a disability condition is diagnosed, whichever occurs earliest. The student may contact the Disabilities Resource Center for information and auxiliary aid.