Week 1: Overview of Electronic Commerce and Social Commerce
Objective: Understand the basics and importance of E-Commerce and Social Commerce.
Discussion Topics and debate (30-40 mins)
1. Examine the impact of social media on E-Commerce. How has social commerce
changed the way businesses and consumers interact?
2. Predict future trends in E-Commerce and social commerce. What new technologies or
business models do you think will emerge?
3. Debate: EC eliminates more jobs than it creates. Should we restrict its use and
growth?
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What is the primary difference between E-Commerce and E-Business?
a) E-Commerce refers only to online retail, while E-Business includes all
aspects of conducting business online.
b) E-Commerce includes E-Business.
c) E-Business refers only to electronic payments.
d) E-Commerce and E-Business are synonymous.
2. Which of the following best describes the concept of social commerce?
a) The use of electronic systems to manage business operations.
b) The integration of social media with traditional commerce activities.
c) The creation of online stores for selling products.
d) The use of email marketing to reach customers.
3. What was a significant milestone in the development of E-Commerce during the
1990s?
a) The launch of the first online store by Amazon.\
b) The introduction of mobile commerce.
c) The invention of credit cards.
d) The emergence of social media platforms.
4. Which technology is primarily responsible for enabling secure online
transactions?
a) HTML
b) SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
c) HTTP
d) FTP
5. How has mobile technology influenced E-Commerce?
a) By making it more difficult to track customer behavior.
b) By reducing the need for online payment systems.
c) By enabling consumers to shop from anywhere at any time.
d) By eliminating the need for physical stores.
6. What is one of the primary benefits of social commerce for businesses?
a) Reduced need for customer service.
b) Increased visibility and engagement with customers.
c) Decreased competition.
d) Simplified logistics and shipping processes.
7. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of social commerce?
a) Peer recommendations and reviews.
b) Social media advertising.
c) Traditional in-store shopping experience.
d) User-generated content.
8. What role do social networks play in social commerce?
a) They provide a platform for electronic payments.
b) They facilitate direct communication between businesses and consumers.
c) They serve as databases for product inventory.
d) They eliminate the need for traditional marketing.
9. Which of the following statements is true about the future of E-Commerce?
a) It is expected to decline as traditional retail recovers.
b) Innovations like AI and VR are likely to drive its growth.
c) Social commerce will become obsolete.
d) Only large businesses will benefit from E-Commerce advancements.
10. Which term describes the use of the internet to facilitate the buying and selling
of goods and services?
a) E-Commerce
b) E-Government
c) E-Learning
d) E-Health
Internet Exercise
1. Visit amazon.com and locate recent information in the following areas:
(a) Find the five top-selling books on EC.
(b) Find a review of one of these books.
(c) Review the personalized services you can get from Amazon.com and describe the benefits
you receive from shopping there.
(d) Review the products directory
2. Enter philatino.com, stampauctioncentral.com, and statusint.com. Identify the
business model(s) and revenue models they use. What are the benefits to sellers? To
buyers?
