E-commerce and Business Success: A Case Study of Argos UK

E-commerce and how it drives business success: A case
study of Argos UK
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Introduction:
Title of the research project: E-commerce and how it drives business success
Background of the research:
With the technological advancement, the principle idea of trade and business process has
changed drastically. Unlike the traditional mediums of business, the idea of electronic commerce
allows the concerned companies to conduct business over the digital platform. E-commerce is
defined as the process of trade where products and services are purchased over online platforms.
In order to determine the electronic commerce, there is a wide spectrum of parameters which
needs to be considered. E-commerce is dependent on many technological parameters like
electronic fund transfer, marketing via online platforms, online transaction process, data
collection and data exchange and supply chain management. The World Wide Web is the most
significant part of electronic commerce because the overall process is conducted on the web
platform (Scarborough 2016).
In this research project, the business process of Argos UK has been considered. Argos is an retail
organization headquartered in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. The company was first
introduced in the year 1972 and is one of the largest retail organizations in the United Kingdom
(www.argos.co.uk 2018).
Aims and objectives:
 To determine the concept and idea of electronic commerce
 To analyze the impact of electronic commerce on the overall business process of Argos
UK
 To determine the present trend and how electronic commerce contributes in the overall
business process of Argos UK
Research questions:
 The concept and idea of electronic commerce?
 The impact of electronic commerce on the business process of Argos UK?
 The current trend and the contribution of electronic commerce on the business of Argos
UK?
Rationale of the study:
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In the last decade, electronic commerce has witnessed a huge inclination as the companies are
willing to shift to the online marketing process. The principle idea of electronic commerce is that
all the trading process is commenced on the online platform. E-commerce is the business model
where an organization along with the traditional medium of trade, uses the idea of business over
internet platforms (Chaffey 2015).
The traditional mediums of trade and business were quite effective but there are certain
limitations of the primitive business process, the most important factor in this case is that
electronic commerce is far more convenient and swift (Brodén et al., 2017). The companies are
willing to implement the idea of Electronic commerce because it makes the business process
much easier. The most important factor being that if an organization has implemented the idea of
online marketing, then there is no need of live outlets and showrooms, this saves a lot of capital
and makes the business much easier (Brodén et al., 2017).
In today’s day and age the concept of electronic commerce has magnetized the consumers, the
masses are now more inclined towards online purchasing. The principle idea in this case is that,
the consumers are comfortable in shopping from their laptops or tablets, rather than actually
visiting the stores (Chaffey 2015). The inclination of the customers towards online shopping is a
huge leverage for electronic commerce.
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Literature review:
Introduction:
In this section of the research project, the overall idea and characteristics of electronic
commerce has been considered. The key parameters of the concept of electronic commerce has
been analysed and discussed. Previous researched journals have been referred to in order to
determine the concept from various perspectives. Along with this, diverse models and channels
of electronic commerce have been discussed and how the idea of online market has affected the
overall business process.
Previous related research:
According to a study presented by Falk and Hagsten (2015), named “E-commerce trends and
impacts across Europe”, the journal dictates that electronic commerce is exponentially
increasing and is one of the significant affecting the global business market. Here, both the
economic and social impact of electronic commerce has been presented. The study is specifically
based on Europe, and how electronic commerce has affected the business process of the
companies participating in the country. The timeline of the process is discussed here, and the key
elements are discussed.
Another journal presented by (Turban et al., 2018), named “Electronic Commerce 2018: A
Managerial and Social Networks Perspective”, determines the idea and concept of electronic
commerce. According to the authors of the journal, electronic commerce has amplified
exponentially and a wide range of companies and organizations, irrespective of their business
sector are implementing the idea of electronic commerce. According to the journal, electronic
commerce is a business model where all kinds of transaction can take place. From booking air
tickets to purchasing a dress, everything can be done via the online platforms. The consumers are
also now more inclined towards online shopping because of its swift and convenient approach.
The masses now are able to purchase all kinds of products and services using just a laptop, cell
phone or tablet.
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