Digital Business Report: Trends, Analysis, and Ethical Considerations

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of digital business, exploring key trends, advantages, and disadvantages within a virtual context. It examines the use of technology and its impact on business operations, including case studies of companies like ASOS, Brichbox, and Very. The report defines and compares SWOT and situational analyses, highlighting their similarities and differences. It also addresses the challenges of information security threats and ethical considerations in digital business, emphasizing issues like mass surveillance and deep fakes. Furthermore, the report contrasts and compares digital business and e-commerce, outlining the principles of e-commerce and their application to digital organizations. The content covers various aspects of virtual business, including flexibility, cost savings, staff monitoring, and the importance of communication and technology in the digital landscape.

Digital Business

Table of Contents
Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Question 1: LO1...............................................................................................................................1
Outline key trends, advantages and disadvantages of virtual contex..........................................1
How they use technology together with its impacts and importance..........................................2
LO 4.................................................................................................................................................3
Define Situation and SWOT and then compare and contrast these two.....................................3
Question 3:..................................................................................................................................6
Challenges for information security threats and ethics in general.......................................6
Question 4:LO 3........................................................................................................................8
Question 5: LO5...............................................................................................................................9
Contrast and compare digital business and digital business. What are the principles of e-
commerce and also discuss how they are applied to digital organisation...................................9
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
A digital business relates with the technology that an organisation uses to enhance their business
model on the basis of taking an advantage of internal as well as external operations by adopting
the techniques relates with the advancement of digitalization sources in the company.
Information technology changes the scenario of business operations and infrastructure by making
the digital platform more effective through its internet platform by which organisation will reach
the objectives in respect of the future as well as current goals. (Choudhary and et. al.,
2019Digital business will help the organisation to compete in the external forces with their
competitors by developing the best strategic plan for implementing the digital platform is that
company like online e-commerce or the shopping sites are involve in the large activity of
digitalization where buyers will pay through digital from here the payments are more effective
provides the convenient approach to their user.
The project report is based on the case study that are ASOS, Brichbox ,Very, Sakesfaith Avenue.
This case study contains the trends advantage ,advantages and drawbacks related to managing
virtual business management. Its includes the comparison between the situational and SWOT
analysis and further digital model of the digital business that relates to the ethics and code of
conduct of the business and involves the comparison between the e-commerce and digital
business.
Question 1: LO1
Outline key trends, advantages and disadvantages of virtual contex
Virtual business
It relates with that business which will carry more of their business operations and tasks with the
help of internet or by using the internet sources transaction in the organisation will also operates
through the platform of online digital form .
Advantage of managing Virtual business in global environment
 Flexibility:
In comparison with the conventional type of business the virtual business is more flexible in
nature because this type of business will easily cope up in the global market with their more
flexible nature of doing the business through internet sources and by making changes in relation
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with the global markets policies the virtual business will easily benefit the market through
internet platform of reaching the large customer base globally.
 Brick and mortar cost saving:
This model provides the advantage to manage the function relates with the business which deal
virtually in global market here the advantages are emerge with traditional street sites stores
here the business deals with the customers who's having function of face to face interaction with
the customer by providing the virtual businesses advantages and by utilizing the resources well
in the organisation in global market . )(Schaeffer and Sovie, 2019)
Disadvantage of managing Virtual business in global environment
 Lack of staff monitoring:
This type of business having lack of monitoring value in respect of the staffs in which they are
dealing their working virtually through internet because all the activities are implement through
the virtual process by which there is a communication gap between the company staffs with their
seniors that is why the managers will not able to properly manage the staffs relates with the
company Very they are dealing their most process through the channel of online platform which
will results in low monitored aspects by the manager. (Zaki, 2019)
 Absence of unity:
This is one of the common disadvantage of the virtual business is the lack of connectivity with
the business enterprise ,because this approach is basically deals with the employees who are not
really engage in the convenient market they deals in the market related to the online marketing
with the virtual business perspective so they have low command and connectivity with the live
market.
How they use technology together with its impacts and importance
This type of business really don't need any kind of infrastructure and offices or such a
platform relates with the office because they mostly operates their business through internet and
digital platform which will results in the effective fast business operation without any obstacles.
Virtual business is one of the major aspect of doing the global business internationally by
channelising the internet sources. In this ASOS, Brichbox make use of virtual technology and it
has few impact and importance that is as explained below as:
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 Internet:
Its one of the major aspect of doing the business with the help of internet sources or particular
websites of the particular company by making an efforts in providing the best online services to
the customers ,this internet trends is one of the major aspect of managing and operating the
virtual business,its help in providing the best resources to the organisation in an effective manner
, internet also deals in frequent activities relates with the communication and transaction with
customers and businesses. ) (Fletcher and Griffiths, 2020)
 Technology Aspect :
Its deals with the changes which occurs during the business and these changes relates with the
technological advancement by managing and operating the virtual business in more better way
by moving toward the pace and by technology aspect its develop the virtual business by making
the extra efforts in compete with their competitors in providing the growth by technological
advancement inn the course of virtual business.
 Communication:
Another most important aspect of the virtual business is to makes communication with the help
of mobile phones in respect of application son which virtual business deals in this will leads to
the fast and better interaction with their customers and all the activities related to the business
will grow more rapidly by reaching the customers in ease manner through the formation of
mobile phones application rather than any fax and E-mails formations this will take time .
LO 4
Define Situation and SWOT and then compare and contrast these two
Comparison situation and SWOT analysis
Basis SWOT Situational analysis
Meaning It refers to the tool or method
by which an organisation will
determine their internal as well
external environment through
strength and weakness with a
It relates with that analysis
which refers to the
organisational situation on the
basis of any external or
internal factor which will be
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view of internal as well
opportunities and threats with
a view of external aspects .
determine by the SWOT and
PESTLE analysis with a view
to fulfil the organisation
requirement.
Nature SWOT analysis is a shorter
concept which will be adopted
by every type of business
having the view of analysing
the internal as well external
forces without paying much
cost and can be controllable by
the organisation.
Situational analysis is a wide
concepts which deals in large
organisation in respect to it
determination because the
nature of this analysis is
dynamic and can be change
frequently ,small enterprise not
able to use this analysis
because of their wider aspects.
Example ASOS is a leading fashion
online retailers of UK analysis
their internal as well as
external uncertainty which can
be arises in the organisation by
having the aspect of virtual
business here the uncertainty
belongs to technological
change and those factors will
be well determined by the
SWOT analysis of this
company.
In the context of ASOS
manager can focus on the
several factor which will be
considered during the
operational course of the
organisation ,factor relates
with external factor or forces
which are impact the
organisation so manager has to
take care about these forces by
determines according to the
suitable condition which will b
e set on that analysis is that a
PESTLE for a large
organisation.
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Similarities between situation and SWOT analysis:
Both SWOT analysis and situational analysis having their own perspective or handling
aspect but they work accordingly with a motive to deal with the situation arises like internal as
well external forces .Some similarity depends upon the working structure of the company or by
dealing similarity . Both the analysis are having their own structure of determining the company
situation on the basis of providing the internal as well as external approaches by evaluating the
impact of forces in relation to the market scenario as SWOT analysis will work on the strength
and weaknesses part if we are talk about the internal aspect likewise the external environment
relates with the opportunities and threats so as pestle who will determine the concept of external
forces like political to legal factor so here the situational analysis of ASOS company by using the
pestle analysis : ) (Lewrick, Link and Leifer, 2018)
Situational analysis of ASOS By using PEST analysis
This will be done by using PEST analysis on the ASOS company :
 Political factor:
This factor is based on the government intervention is that what sort of impact that
government puts on the organisation and the market in the context of ASOS company
they are dealing in the fashion online retailers of clothes, footwear and accessories so this
products are based on the customer taste and preferences, a political factor relates with
this virtual business is to deals with the government change in policies regarding this
businesses.
 Environmental factor:
This factor deals with the environment aspect here the organisation needs to take care
about the environment factor by properly utilizing the resources, as this factor or forces
relates with the scarcity of the raw materials in the company so by avoiding any kind of
obstacles regarding the virtual business, this aspect will be impacted through the
customer point of view.
 Social factor :
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By analysing this factor , ASOS will attracts the customers according to their taste and
preferences in respect of the different culture adaptation of the market its necessary to
adapt this changes according to the social culture ASOS have to check on to the
numerous factor of retail product relates with the society preferences in a country.
Question 3:
Challenges for information security threats and ethics in general
As virtual business nature , the main aspect of this business to deals in the cyber security and
hence the priority will be the too continuously moving towards the growth of the business by
implementing better services through security in information to , due to their activities of selling
and transactional value will emphasis about their priority on making the environment safe for
their particular . here the user are make sure about their confidentiality to be secure without any
security reason by adopting the best and trusts worthy websites to make shopping or any
business transaction etc. In the context of ASOS fashion retailing industry the main focus on
challenges face by them in accordance of threats and ethical issues:
 Mass surveillance in the industry:
Private companies including social sites are majorly in the activities of collecting the vast
information of their users and product buyers by taking the day to day regular checks on their
service using through concluding the information it, this process will generates lots of
information regarding their users ,their details and real time location for the delivery purpose . So
this will create the threats for the virtual business as well as an ethical issue too if they will not
clear the statement and approach to their customer with an surety of security. (Dang and et. al.,
2018)
 Deep fakes:
In the virtual platform any one can takes the advantage to demote the image of the
particular business by making the issues through their unnecessary representation of
people saying and doing things they didn’t actually say or do, by making the false
statement towards the particular business so as to avoid these stuffs company trying by
regular check on by their IT specialist working on their parts.
 Disinformation aspects:
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Virtual business works on the principle of guiding their users in respect of any shopping or
business sites by mailing the proper information statements and offering towards their business,
any false information makes the business more complicated in regarding disinformation. (de
Reuver, Sørensen and Basole, 2018)
Apply a critical analysis of emerging digital business models
There are significant opportunities being created by new technologies in the context to develop
the growth of the company by utilizing the sources and best element that can by put into the
business by adopting the business through new channels and platform of doing the business
activities in respect of the online platform so here are some of the business models on which the
virtual business putting more emphasis is that:
 Process Transformation:
The main aspect of every business is to deals in the corporate activities works where all the task
are managing through a proper and systematic approaches are implied in that by making the
organisation more effective In the context of virtual business models the data analytics. APIs,
machine learning and other technologies offer corporations a valuable new ways to reinvent the
value through lowering the handling cost ,by reducing the cycle time and increasing quality.
(Tumbas, Berente and Brocke, 2018)
 Business models transformation:
As in the context of ASOS they are forming their business through their programs of
promoting the business by making changes in the business in transforming with the aim
to utilise its best potential in the business by new innovations factor in the company, as
they are dealing in the fashion retailing on an online platform so as to enhance their
activities they are maintaining relations with the social sites as well to generates
customer base. (Subramaniam, Iyer and Venkatraman, 2019
 Cultural/organisational transformation:
Digital transformation requires the full long term activities require to enhance the quality
of the business in respect of the virtual platform, culture aspect of this business is their
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value of adopting the customer base through its interest and taste preferences according
to their demand so as to deliver the social culture factor to organisation are more focused
on the advertisement base for their advancement in the context of this company.
Question 4:LO 3
Today scenario technology are going in a strong pace in respect of the virtual business
perspective the motive it to earn profits through the interaction by their customers base online by
providing them any kind of services and products for which they are served to them virtual
dealing of customer deals with the online marketing in respect of the online transactions ,online
purchasing of any products from the online websites if we talk about within the context of ASOS
so here are some of the collaborative and strategic alliances of approach which is considered in
the context of digital business ,digital collaborations can help in the improve organisation
structure working floe to get the activities done fast in accordance of dealing with the customer
with quite effectively ,the digital collaboration aims to improve the communication effectively in
workplace ,content management document management and information flow across the
organisations and leads to increased productivity an d employees efficiency with the motive so
here are some of the collaborative relationship which are necessary in the course of digital
business platform is that :
Improve team Interaction:
By the source of medium which is used during the course of this digital busines are relates with
the interaction with the employees in the activities are concern here the communication channel
will be formed on the basis of online video meeting, through skype and other sources these
communication channel made easy for the virtual business as employees do not need to attend
any business meet physically they just attempt it through video calls from their seniors in
particular areas and all .
Quick information access:
Virtual business having an important aspect of flow of information in fast manner as compared
to the convenient market because all the functions of this industry or company will depends upon
their online platform which provide growth to their industry by implementing any changes and
aware to their customer through proper advertisement information on their websites this will
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leads to the generation effective flow of communication to cause the customers gets relevant
information regarding their product services and value ,
Question 5: LO5
Contrast and compare digital business and digital business. What are the principles of e-
commerce and also discuss how they are applied to digital organisation.
Digital business: This is define as creation of new business designs by blurring physical
and digital worlds. It refers to technology which generate new value to model of business,
experience of customer and internal capabilities which helps basic operation of organisation.
This digital business is helpful for both traditional players and only digital brands.
E-commerce: It refers to buying and selling of services and goods or transfer
information and funds with help of electric media. This term is very useful in every type of
organisation that there are various type of business such as business to customer and business to
business.
Comparison between digital business and e-commerce
Basis Digital business E-commerce
Approach Mainly this approach is based
on business which are introvert
in their nature. This type of
business mainly need website ,
ERP model and so on.
In this approach there are
business which are mainly
extrovert in nature. This
generally involves B2C and
B2B type of business.
Concept It is define as trade in business
which is used by several
internet websites and various
blogs.
It mainly define as
organisation may run their
business by use of ERP, CRM
and websites.
Similarities between digital business and e-commerce
There are many similarities between these two as both are work according to the use of
internet and without use of internet digital business and e-commerce cannot operate their
business transactions in appropriate manner. These both have connections by making various
different stakeholders with use of many websites and internet. In digital business and e-
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commerce there is no face to face communication process is there as users are working on digital
platform. This will helps in developing relationship with business partners which leads to growth
and success of business organisation.
Outline e-commerce principles and potential application to digital business
There are various principles of e-commerce and potential application that are explained
below:
User friendly- It is termed as important aspect which helps business by using e-commerce
applications and sites which are easily navigated and available for users as they can be outlook
on various categories of goods and services. Digital business and e-commerce is very important
term in today's business environment scenario as it attracts attention of users on the brand
which creates goodwill for organisation.. This is also helpful in creating smoothness in running
the business organisation. (Autio and et. al., 2018)
Emphasis on security- This principle is considered as appropriate principle for the e-
commerce as it helps customers to do their online purchase by involving online payment option.
It includes third party information in which organisation focus on securing rights of payments
and checkout options which helps for create loyal customers which are developed in appropriate
manner. This principle is also apply to digital business as in this threats such as virus attack,
hacking and for this there is time saving as when there are many issues which is related to
business as they have to focus on security of it.
CONCLUSION
It ahs been concluded from the above report is that virtual business having a great busines
activities in today market scenario and can be compete in global busines too by handling the
large customer base with a motive to achieve the customer base through its application program
of dealing their customers on the basis of online marketing and transactions criteria all are set
into the website of a particular business websites ,in making the business more effective analysis
based aspect are also needed like SWOT analysis and Situational based analysis which help the
business to determine status and scenario of market environment.
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