IMAT5211 E-Commerce: Business Model Analysis of DMU Distance Learning

This report provides a comprehensive business model analysis of De Montfort University's (DMU) distance learning marketplace. It includes a SWOT analysis, identifying strengths such as accessibility and flexibility, weaknesses like lack of direct interaction, opportunities for expanded educational access, and threats including technology costs and security concerns. The analysis also covers an external situation assessment, highlighting critical success factors (CSFs) related to expanding access to education and key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring student satisfaction and engagement. The report concludes by emphasizing the benefits of distance learning for students, such as convenient access to course materials and the elimination of mandatory class attendance.

Running head: BUSINESS MODEL ANALYSIS
Business Model Analysis
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:

1BUSINESS MODEL ANALYSIS
SWOT diagram for DMU’s distance learning marketplace
Strengths: The major strength of DMU’s distance learning marketplace is that it is
easier to access from anyplace and at any time. The end users can do their learning process at
anyplace with convenient of time and there is no restriction of time. Distance learning
marketplace in higher education is molded by means of flexibility and agility. Distance
learning provides with widespread customization of educational chances that avail the
requirements of students (Smith 2016). It provides access to the higher education of all
streams and fulfills objectives of higher educational system.
Weaknesses: In DMU’s distance learning, there is absence of tutors that provides
effects on academic achievement and personal development among the students. There is
lack of relationship and there is no direct communication among students and tutors. It has
less development of technology which helps the students to interact with each other’s. The
students do not get training which helps them to develop their academic skills (Goel et al.
2019). Distance learning is incompatible for the practical courses into higher learning.
Opportunities: It improves learning capabilities with educational opportunities. The
students with internet facilities can access to training materials, digital library and
conferences. It can provide updated information related to the course work. It is a new
opportunity as it helps students with online education. Universities are limited to number of
seats, therefore distance learning offers opportunities to higher education students.
Threats: In case of distance learning, availability of the computers and related
technology is mandatory, which increases the cost of education (Yao and Meng 2018). The
students has lack of computer and technical knowledge for applying the courses and
accessing the course materials. There is also security as well as authorization issues if any
third party can access to the papers.

2BUSINESS MODEL ANALYSIS
Figure 1: SWOT analysis of DMU’s distance learning marketplace
(Source: Goel et al. 2019, pp-591)
External situation analysis for DMU’s distance learning marketplace
The critical success factors of distance learning marketplace are expanding access to
the education for meeting with the training needs. It alleviates the capacity of the constraints.
There are surge of number of students which the current university facilities are not
accommodating anymore. Some of them are leveraging scalability of the online education. It
capitalizes on the emerging markets opportunities (Cole 2016). The distance learning is
technological advancement reshapes not only the society but the success factors in the online
delivery are technology such as ease of access as well as navigation, interface design along
with level of education. The attitudes of tutors towards the students and technical competence
are other factors.
Threats of uniqueness
Higher maintenance cost
Lack of technical knowledge and
computer knowledge
Enrollment of students in higher
education
Time saving and cost effective for the
students
Access to the internet and digital
technology
Absence of the tutors
Unsupportive information
Unable to do the practical courses
Independence to access the learning
materials
Enhance the individuals
Exploreb to the standard of education
Strengths Weaknesses
ThreatsOpportunities

3BUSINESS MODEL ANALYSIS
The key performance indicators are measuring the satisfaction level of the students
and how they are involved in the study. It is resulted to help as well as support the
educational decisions plus performance analysis of the distance learning marketplace. The
students can easily access to the course materials which help in learning for the educational
purposes. The students are not required to attend the classes (Smith 2016). Therefore,
distance learning becomes helpful for the students.

4BUSINESS MODEL ANALYSIS
Bibliography
Cole, J.Y., 2016. Universally Designed Virtual Classrooms: Making Online Learning
Accessible to all Students.
Goel, S., Sabitha, A.S., Choudhury, T. and Mehta, I.S., 2019. Analytical Analysis of
Learners’ Dropout Rate with Data Mining Techniques. In Emerging Trends in Expert
Applications and Security (pp. 583-592). Springer, Singapore.
Smith, M.L., 2016. Distance Learning on the Internet: A Situational Analysis.
Yao, J. and Meng, Y., 2018, July. Research on SWOT Analysis and Strategy of Education
Live Broadcasting. In 4th International Conference on Arts, Design and Contemporary
Education (ICADCE 2018). Atlantis Press.