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E-Commerce in Modern Business

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Start Date
September/January

Duration
<1 Year

Modality
Online

Costs
$/credit arrowsee details

INTRODUCTION
The CPE programme in E-Commerce in Modern Business will be delivered through three inter-related courses spanning 90 contact hours. This programme provides an overview of business and technology topics, business models, virtual value chain, and innovation and marketing strategies. In addition, some of the major issues associated with e-commerce: security, privacy, intellectual property rights, authentication, encryption, acceptable use policies, and legal liabilities; will be explored. 
  
RATIONALE FOR THE OFFERING OF THE PROGRAMME 
Companies and organizations of all types and sizes are rethinking their strategies and how they run their operations.  This new programme in E-Commerce in Modern Business challenges participants to explore the realities and implications of e-commerce in a contemporary global business environment. Scholars are of the view that as electronic business becomes mainstream, e-commerce and e-business topics will be integrated into most business courses. Eventually, the distinction between e-commerce/e-business and traditional commerce/business will disappear, and an e-commerce programme like this one will become a pre-requisite all professionals. 
   
PROGRAMME AIMS AND OBJECTIVES  
This programme examines the strategies and principles of e-commerce. It provides participants with tools and techniques to monitor and perform e-commerce transactions in a safe, effective and efficient way.  
 
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to: 
  • Explain the components and roles of the e-commerce environment. 
  • Discuss e-commerce business  models and concepts  
  • Compare Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Customer (B2C) e-commerce strategies, including market segmentation 
  • Discuss common legal, ethical and privacy issues in e-commerce 
  • Use the knowledge of online security issues to assess existing websites 
  • Categorize advantages and disadvantages of different online payment options 
  • Explain the marketing and  social impacts of e-commerce 
 
TARGET AUDIENCE 
This programme will aid those aspiring to become proficient in buying and selling items online. The target audience includes: individuals who want to be exposed to e-commerce for personal development, entrepreneurs and persons at various levels of the organization like leaders, managers and others involved in procurement activities.  
    
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS  
There are no academic entry-requirements for this programme however passing grades in CSEC Math and English or equivalent would be an asset.  Alternately, relevant professional experience within a commercial environment will also be considered.   
 
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE 
 

Course Codes

Course Titles

Continuing Education Units 

 

Semester I

 

 MGMT215

The E-Commerce Environment

3.0

 MGMT216

E-Commerce Technology, Risks and Security

3.0

 

Semester II

 

 MGMT217

Electronic Payment Systems

3.0

 
 
WHEN WILL THE PROGRAMME START?
Contact your nearest Open Campus Country Site on the start date for the programme.  
 
HOW DO I APPLY?
Kindly contact an Open Campus Country Site location nearest to you for further information on the application process.
 
COURSE COST
Please contact your nearest Open Campus Site location for information on the cost for this programme. Locations can be found at this link: http://www.open.uwi.edu/locations
 
ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE  
The assessment of the programme will be both formative and summative.
 
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES 
Beyond the electronic resources listed below, additional materials in the form of handouts/lecture notes will be made available to participants by the instructor at various stages throughout the course.  Participants may also access recommended readings independently in order to support their study. 
 
COURSE DESCRIPTION 
INTRODUCTION TO E-COMMERCE: THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT:  This course provides participants with insights into the emerging and constantly changing area of e-commerce. Notwithstanding the discussion and publicity about e-commerce, there remains a sense of misunderstanding, suspicion, and confusion about this subject area, which has been exacerbated by the use of electronic commerce in many contexts, coupled with the many related acronyms and buzzwords. This course will introduce the electronic commerce and electronic marketplace by describing it’s the historical evolution, basic concepts, business models, challenging issues and mitigation strategies. 
 
E-COMMERCE TECHNOLOGY, RISKS AND SECURITY:  This course provides participants with an understanding of the basic technology which facilitates e-commerce, the threats and risks associated with e-commerce transactions and the security measures that could be implemented to minimize or eliminate the threats.  Topics include packet switching, cryptography, TCP/IP concepts and behaviour, Internet and systems risk assessment, anti-virus tools, and password management. Throughout the course of study, participants will have learnt both the theories and practices about e-commerce technologies, risks and security measures. 
 
ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEMS: As electronic payments are integral enablers of e-commerce activities; this course covers a wide range of electronic payment mechanism.  The course covers traditional payment instruments; types of e-payment mechanisms; the risks associated with e-payment, risk mitigation strategies, and e-payment security measures.   
 
 
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