E-Commerce for Distance Learning Institutions

This assignment explores the integration of e-commerce strategies within distance learning institutions. It analyzes how e-commerce principles can be applied to enhance marketing efforts, facilitate student enrollment, and promote engagement. The discussion considers challenges such as student motivation and cultural differences, alongside opportunities presented by social media and online platforms.

E-Commerce Assignment
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IMAT5211 E Commerce Systems First Assignment J T Burns Feb 2017

Table of Contents
Introduction..............................................................................................................................................3
Part 1.........................................................................................................................................................3
Strengths............................................................................................................................................3
Weakness...........................................................................................................................................3
Opportunities.....................................................................................................................................4
Part 2 External situation analysis model for e- commerce.......................................................................5
Part 3.........................................................................................................................................................7
Conclusion................................................................................................................................................8
References................................................................................................................................................8
IMAT5211 E Commerce Systems First Assignment J T Burns Feb 2017

Introduction
The distance learning courses have been there from the year 1800s and this concept was
initiated by Sir Isaac Pitman. The countries that initially adopted this way of learning were
England, Japan and Germany (Glennie and Mays, 2013). In the preliminary phases, the
distance learning had been carried out via correspondence, low communication among the
learner and the instructor happened. The analysis of distance learning program has been
discussed to assist in examining the components of distance learning which are negative and
positive.
Part 1
SWOT analysis assists with improving the processes and developing the latest distance
learning programs and prospects.
Strengths Weakness
 The students get accessibility from
almost all places where the internet is
available (Cookson, 2000).
 Flexibility of time is there.
 The student gets chances of
independent learning
 The students are able to work and
attend the school all together.
 The student can attend the class even
when he’s sick or unavailable
physically.
 It is highly convenient way of
studying.
 The student can do this course along
with job or any other course.
 The travelling time and cost of
student is saved.
 The distance learning program at De
Montfort University (DMU) has a
virtual database, IT provisions and
virtual library, so it is capital-driven.
 The efforts involved are higher.
 Limitation of technology can also
hinder the learning.
 Students of DMU have limited or
restricted access to professors and
other students.
 The computer is a necessity for such
course.
 Sometimes, the student is unable to
understand technology or access
internet so this can be a hindrance for
such courses (Moore, Dickson-Deane
and Galyen, 2011).
IMAT5211 E Commerce Systems First Assignment J T Burns Feb 2017

 The cost is saved for the DMU and
the lesser campus space is needed and
savings on maintenance cost is also
there.
Opportunities Threats
 The latest technologies can permit a
better learning environment for students.
 The distance learning opportunities can
be used for reaching to a wider range of
students and it can cater to individuals
who are not attending any college or
institution at present.
 It is a way of increasing diversity and
equality in the area of higher education.
 The rising cost of creating and
maintaining complex databases and
online libraries.
 The quality of instructors and their
recruitment is a difficult aspect to be
managed.
 It is hard to engage the students in a way
which is required for learning process.
 Even though there have been a rise in the
degree is being offered, the number of
enrolled students is decreasing in distance
learning programs.
 Some of the students quit from distance
learning programs and waiting is quite
easier there for completion rate of
enrolled students is low.
 Getting admission to such programs is
easier in comparison to institutions which
are made of brick and mortar.
IMAT5211 E Commerce Systems First Assignment J T Burns Feb 2017

Part 2 External situation analysis model for e- commerce
The Porter’s five forces model has been used with the distance learning universities, to study
the impact of the model on e-commerce.
Source: (O'Grady, 2000)
The threat of substitute products
Overall, it is easy to sell in the ecommerce; hence there are threats of substitute items or
service in the e-commerce industry. There is threat of substitute items, by actuality of items
sold in the business could be sold by different businesses.
The threat of the entry of fresh competitors
The business is extremely attractive. There are not noteworthy barriers to entry on industry,
because possibly the organizations of the business have adopted a diversification policy of
selling; the goods available to clients are not highly differentiated.
The amount of competitive rivalry
IMAT5211 E Commerce Systems First Assignment J T Burns Feb 2017

It is solid; there are divers firms in the business, for example, Yahoo, eBay, MSN, etc.
(eCommerce, 2013). This industry is developing, and the items that are being sold are not
very differentiated. A few of the organizations endeavour to differentiate themselves by
including some competitions, websites and attraction for the purchasers to make him spend
more time at the website.
The bargaining power of clients
It is solid, because it is trouble-free to discover other supplier in the business. They have no
devotion for the branding. They search for low-priced and superior items. They are likewise
provided with loads of alternatives in the business.
The bargaining power of suppliers
Suppliers can be a basis of power on the ecommerce business. Suppliers might say no to
supply to the business, or e.g. charge extremely soaring prices for exclusive resources.
Usually, it is low, as the items existing in this industry are sold by lots of businesses. For
items like Books, DVD's and CD - the dealing power of suppliers is small, due to existence of
numerous suppliers in the Industry.
Objective Metrics/ performance indicators Competencies and
resources required
Need high traffic on e-
commerce website
general website traffic, traffic basis
(where the consumers are coming
from), period spent on website and
bouncing rate (Fazlollahi, 2002)
For knowing this,
business can make use of
Google Analytics
Raising brand awareness Places where implementation will
take place
Digital marketing and
other channels used like
Google ads, email
marketing, social media,
website content, etc.
Going ahead of
competitors
Knowing the baseline- where
business stands against competitors
Product sales calculation
on website
IMAT5211 E Commerce Systems First Assignment J T Burns Feb 2017

Part 3
Some countries could be concerned in the event that they purchase learning resources from
abroad it would have an unfavourable impact on their cultures. Be that as it may, these
nations can simply sit with the community preparing those courses abroad and show them the
way to devise the materials which would not have any poor impact in their national cultures
or communal arrangement (Samiee, 2008). The pedagogical thoughts likewise could be
settled along these lines. Even in a specific nation with multi-cultural arrangement there
could be numerous descriptions of the examination syllabus presented.
Women empowerment could be aided via distance learning, as there are lesser expenses of
distance education, providing grants, raising the advantages of education like offering
females with trainings in proficient kid-care or home-coaching courses. These sorts of
occupation could assist them to generate wealth which could get their empowerment in an
unequivocally male dominated society of the world (Marsap and Narin, 2009).
Distance learning ought to be provided either through English or some other regional
language depending upon the region of the world. Qualified teachers could be involved to
provide the distance education through internet technology.
Service provider should have detailed information regarding the work cultures that prevail in
the students to know about the student behaviour in homework or assignments (Flanagan,
2012). Each and every culture has to be studied exclusively seeing that the cultures can differ
and it is usually hard to aggregate them jointly onto one. At the time of preparing study
materials no less than one person aware of the culture and hard working attitudes of the
society under study ought to be made part of the team.
DMU can apply on line specialized apparatuses to reach to its potential target audience
by:
 Use of relevant show advertising: With the assistance of examination, it is possible to trail
the number of citizens who have looked at the adverts or clicked on them, his activities on
the site after reaching it, and the fraction of conversion.
 E-mail marketing: It is a big approach to increase new clients or improve interaction with
present clientele (Branch, Bartholomew and Nygaard, 2014).
 Social Media Marketing: Social media devices persuade users to share conclusions,
involve in dialogs and connect with other people in real time. All things considered,
IMAT5211 E Commerce Systems First Assignment J T Burns Feb 2017

online networking marketing can be the best approach to market DMU's image, and
connect with students. However, all advanced marketing instruments have different
purposes so DMU will need to identify its objectives and its targeted audience before its
starts.
Conclusion
Distance learning is an exceptional approach to reach the grown-up learner (Fitzpatrick,
Nguyen and Cayan, 2015). As a result of the challenging priorities of work, house, and
school, grown-up learners look for a high level of flexibility. The arrangement of distance
learning gives matured ones the best possible control on the time, location and speed of
education; yet, it is not exclusive of troubles (The survey of distance learning programs in
higher education, 2014). Loss of student inspiration because of the absence of in-person
contact with teachers and peer groups, potential high-priced start-up operating cost, and
absence of personnel support are large barriers to successful distance learning. Likewise the
cultural differences and trust issues presented in different societies at present bring challenges
to get to students hailing from diverse cultures.
References
Branch, J., Bartholomew, P. and Nygaard, C. (2014). Technology-enhanced learning in
higher education.
Cookson, P. (2000). Implications of Internet Technologies for Higher Education: North
American perspectives. Open Learning: The Journal of Open and Distance Learning, 15(1),
pp.71-80.
eCommerce. (2013). Controlling, 25(6), pp.311-311.
Fazlollahi, B. (2002). Strategies for Ecommerce Success. Hershey: IGI Global.
Fitzpatrick, B., Nguyen, Q. and Cayan, Z. (2015). An Upgrade To Competitive Corporate
Analysis: Creation Of A Personal Finance Platform To Strengthen Porters Five Competitive
Forces Model In Utilizing. Journal of Business & Economics Research (JBER), 13(1), p.54.
Flanagan, G. (2012). Teaching and Learning at a Distance — Foundations of Distance
Education. The Internet and Higher Education, 3(3), pp.219-222.
IMAT5211 E Commerce Systems First Assignment J T Burns Feb 2017

Glennie, J. and Mays, T. (2013). Rethinking Distance in an Era of Online Learning. Internet
Learning.’
Marsap, A. and Narin, M. (2009). The integration of distance learning via internet and face to
face learning: Why face to face learning is required in distance learning via internet?.
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1(1), pp.2871-2878.
Moore, J., Dickson-Deane, C. and Galyen, K. (2011). e-Learning, online learning, and
distance learning environments: Are they the same?. The Internet and Higher Education,
14(2), pp.129-135.
O'Grady, C. (2000). Integrating service learning and multicultural education in colleges and
universities. Mahwah, N.J.: L. Erlbaum Associates.
Samiee, S. (2008). Global dimensions of eCommerce. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
The survey of distance learning programs in higher education. (2014). New York: Primary
Research Group.
IMAT5211 E Commerce Systems First Assignment J T Burns Feb 2017