Answer To: Welcometo the Integrated Business Management Project, which students usually study in their final...
Abhishek answered on Oct 20 2021
HC3131
BUSINESS RESEARCH PROJECT 3: FINAL REPORT
IMPACTS OF E-COMMERCE ON BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY
Abstract
E-commerce that is also known as electronic commerce is the process that is associated with the electronic sales and purchase of products. At present, most of the business organisations have an inclination to adopt the model of e-commerce in their business organisations. In this paper, the research has been conducted about the effectiveness of e-commerce for the purpose of sustainability of any business organisation. For the purpose of the enrichment of the paper, an elaborate research has been conducted in regards to the topic. The major effectiveness that has been identified in the paper about the effectiveness of e-commerce for business sustainability has been gaining new customers, very low distribution and supply costs targeting international customers etc. After the complete research of the paper it has been extracted that if any organisation at present adopts e-commerce then it becomes easier for the organisation to ensure effectiveness of the organisation at very low costs with ample of customers for both national that is domestic as well as international market.
Acknowledgement
I would like to acknowledge every source and members associated with the research work. Firstly, I would take this opportunity to show my gratitude and respect towards my teachers and especially my faculty members who have been the best possible support for the research work. Guidance, suggestion and understanding have been the essence, upon which the research work has improved and grown to have a complete sense. The research work has acted as the bridge between practical knowledge and theoretical knowledge. Secondly, I would like to thank my parents who are the reason for what I am today. Lastly, my fellow classmates who have been there for support at every moment.
Thanking you all,
___________.
Table of Contents
Abstract 2
Acknowledgement 3
1. Introduction 8
1.1 Background of the Research 8
1.2 Research Problem 8
1.3 Rationale of the Research 9
1.4 Research Aim 10
1.5 Research Objectives 10
1.6 Research Questions 10
1.7 Significance of the Research 11
1.8 Structure of the Research 11
2. Literature Review 12
2.1 Concept of Ecommerce 12
2.2 Concept of Business Sustainability 12
2.3 Positive Aspects of E-Commerce on Business Sustainability 13
2.4 Negative Aspects of E-Commerce on Business Sustainability 13
2.5 Theories of Ecommerce 14
2.5.1 Transaction Cost Theory 14
2.5.2 Theory of Strategic Networking 15
2.6 Theories of Business Sustainability 16
2.6.1 Sustainable Leadership Theory 16
2.6.2 Complexity Theory 17
2.7 Impacts of E-Commerce and Future Scopes 18
3. Research Methodology 19
3.1 Research Philosophy 19
3.2 Research Design 19
3.3 Research Approach 20
3.4 Sampling Method and Sample Size 20
3.5 Data Collection Method and Analysis Strategy 20
3.6 Data Analysis Plan 21
3.7 Ethical Considerations 21
3.8 Time Frame 22
4. Data Analysis and Discussion 23
4.1 Data Findings and Analysis 23
4.2 Discussion 35
Theme 1: E-commerce operations help in the maintenance of business sustainability 35
Theme 2: E-commerce activities allow companies to make better purchasing behaviours of customers 35
Theme 3: E-commerce activities offer developed paths to the company for managing its business 35
Theme 4: Australian companies involve e-commerce in their business to acquire developed growth 36
5. Conclusion and Recommendations 37
5.1 Conclusion 37
5.2 Recommendations 37
5.3 Linking Research with the Objectives 38
Linking Objective 1: 38
Linking Objective 2: 38
Linking Objective 3: 38
Linking Objective 4: 39
5.4 Limitations of the Research 39
5.5 Future Scope of the Research 39
References 40
Appendices 43
Appendix 1: Time Table 43
Appendix 2: Survey Questionnaire 44
List of Figures
Figure 1.1: Structure of the Research 11
Figure 2.1: Transaction Cost Theory 14
Figure 2.2: Theory of Strategic Networking 15
Figure 2.3: Sustainable Leadership Theory 16
Figure 2.4: Complexity Theory 17
Figure 4.1: E-commerce operations are the best tools to draw maximum customers to purchase products from the company 23
Figure 4.2: E-commerce operations can deliver growth to the business than the other business strategies 24
Figure 4.3: Customer perception about purchasing can be changed with the help of e-commerce activities in business 26
Figure 4.4: E-commerce is an effective way to maintain sustainability in business operations 27
Figure 4.5: Australian companies are using effective e-commerce activities in their business 28
Figure 4.6: E-commerce operations are more effective to adopt potential changes to the management of business activities 29
Figure 4.7: Sustainable leadership theory can help Australian companies to manage their sustainable business growth 31
Figure 4.8: Most of the customers are preferring online purchasing methods to purchase their desired products 32
Figure 4.9: Transaction cost theory can help the companies to adopt e-commerce in their business with the lower cost 33
Figure 4.10: Complexity theory is a successful way to maintain sustainability in business based on e-commerce operations 34
List of Tables
Table 4.1: E-commerce operations are the best tools to draw maximum customers to purchase products from the company 23
Table 4.2: E-commerce operations can deliver growth to the business than the other business strategies 24
Table 4.3: Customer perception about purchasing can be changed with the help of e-commerce activities in business 25
Table 4.4: E-commerce is an effective way to maintain sustainability in business operations 27
Table 4.5: Australian companies are using effective e-commerce activities in their business 28
Table 4.6: E-commerce operations are more effective to adopt potential changes to the management of business activities 29
Table 4.7: Sustainable leadership theory can help Australian companies to manage their sustainable business growth 30
Table 4.8: Most of the customers are preferring online purchasing methods to purchase their desired products 32
Table 4.9: Transaction cost theory can help the companies to adopt e-commerce in their business with the lower cost 33
Table 4.10: Complexity theory is a successful way to maintain sustainability in business based on e-commerce operations 34
Table 3.1: Gantt chart 43
1. Introduction
1.1 Background of the Research
Discussion of this current research is focusing on the e-commerce activities that the business companies are performing for managing their business operation within the success. In the modern-day context, business companies are stressing their focus on the maintenance of sustainability in their business. In this purpose, they involve e-commerce operations in their business to access their organisational activities with effectiveness. In that case, it can be mentioned that the e-commerce operations of the companies are denoting the electronic buying and selling process of products (Schoder, 2016).
With the introduction of internet searches, this online buying and selling operation of the companies are performed in the business market of the international business. Performances of the e-commerce activities of the business are performed with the involvement of different aspects within its structure. Multiple actions that are involved in the e-commerce actions are such as mobile commerce, electronic funds transfer and supply chain management.
Internet marketing and online transfer processes are the other parameters of the e-commerce business that are adopted by the business organisation to access their business with a successful format. Therefore, in that case, it can be noted that the inventory management and the automotive data collection process are the developed activities that can be performed with the involvement of e-commerce operations in the business of the companies. This process clearly defines that the presence of the e-commerce operations in the business delivers technological advancement to the management team of the company (Olah et al. 2019).
Through this process, the management team of the companies access their data with the easy accessories in its required places according to its needs. Furthermore, with the introduction of the developed technologies in business operations, business companies can manage their overall business activities in the global platform. It will allow these companies to develop their business in the international business market through easy access to their business information and performances.
1.2 Research Problem
This current research work shows an issue with the completion of this research, as among the companies of Australia, there is a lack of presence of detailed information regarding this topic. Lack of presence of clear and developed information among the companies of this country serves issues in front of the management team of these companies to apply the e-commerce operations in their business with the active contexts.
Therefore, due to the lack of involvement of the e-commerce operation, the management team of different countries are not able to manage their organisational operations with easy ways. It also offers issues in front of team access to their business operations in the multipole department that are linked with the business of the company (Shukla, Mohanty & Kumar, 2018).
On this note, those companies of Australia could not extend their business in the international business market for the failure in the management of organisational actions in the outside world of its business market. It clearly defines that among the companies of Australia, there is a lack of presence of the precise analysis about the effective impact of E-commerce in the earning revenues of the company. For this, they are not focusing on the successful involvement of e-commerce to manage their overall business with efficiency and success.
1.3 Rationale of the Research
The researcher has found that the companies of Australia have failed to manage their management operations in successful ways. This current situation is an issue for Australian companies (Bertram & Chi, 2018). They are not able to extend their business in the global market in easy ways due to the lack of involvement in e-commerce operations. It is an issue now as these companies are not able to make their effective connection with their customers due to the lack of involvement of e-commerce platforms.
Introduction of the e-commerce operation in the business performances is one of the developed processes, which the business companies are performing for managing their business. This process allows the management team of the companies to manage their business activities with the different countries of the world. Through this process, it can be stated that e-commerce operations of the companies are presenting a new path in front of the companies to lead their business easily.
Overview of the different functional activities that are performed based on e-commerce operation it is noticed that it helps the management team of the companies to manage their organisational jobs. On this note, the management team of the companies can create a healthy connection with their customers (Dutta et al. 2020). Those e-commerce activities offer a platform for business companies to represent their services and products to their customers in easy ways.
Through the adoption of this platform, the marketing team of the companies are performing their promotional activities of services with the developed contexts. Within the online platform, the management team of the companies deliver updated information regarding their products. This process helps the customers of the company to acquire a detailed analysis of the products and services of the company.
E-commerce operation also opens paths for the business companies to extend their business in the outside world with easy access to their management operations of the business. Overview of the overall procedures and services that are associated with the e-commerce operation it can be stated that the topic of this present research is significant enough. Hence, the researcher has shed light on the identification of the effective impact of e-commerce in the development of business to maintain its sustainable position.
1.4 Research Aim
The primary aim of this research paper is the identification of the impact of e-commerce within the sustainability of the business.
1.5 Research Objectives
For performing this research paper based on the topic of this research, the research is selected with some objectives. Selection of those objectives must help the researcher to lead this research toward its successful completion. Purposes of this research are listed under:
· To identify the e-commerce operations that are related to business activities
· To analyse the impact of e-commerce activities in the sustainability of the business
· To evaluate the effectiveness of performing e-commerce activities in the business operations of the companies
· To recommend best practices to maintain sustainability in business by adopting e-commerce activities
1.6 Research Questions
Within this research, the researcher adopts some questions based on the topic of this present research. Introduction of these questions may allow the researcher to collect relevant data of this research topic with the smooth and successful contexts. Questions that are adopted by the researcher for this research are presented below:
· What are the e-commerce operations that are related to business activities?
· What is the effectiveness of performing e-commerce activities in the business operations of the companies?
· What is the impact of e-commerce activities on the sustainability of the business?
· What are the best practices to maintain sustainability in business by adopting e-commerce activities?
1.7 Significance of the Research
This research analyses that the e-commerce activities not only helps the management team of the companies but also helps the customers of the company. Within that respect, it can be noted that from the online sites of the companies, customers can purchase their desired products and services in successful ways. In case purchasing products from the online services, customers need not stay for a long time in the queue. It defined that the time management process is one of the major beneficial factors of the e-commerce operation of the company it offers to its potential customers.
This research also fosters the buying and selling process of the companies. Through the compilation of this project, readers can get developed knowledge and understanding of the effectiveness of e-commerce operations in the management of business (Ingaldi & Ulewicz, 2019). It also will allow the business companies to introduce e-commerce activities in their business for the betterment of their business operation in the exciting business market.
1.8 Structure of the Research
Figure 1.1: Structure of the Research
(Source: Researcher)
2. Literature Review
2.1 Concept of Ecommerce
E-commerce has been defined as the electronic commerce or the commerce of the internet. This term has been applied in the organisations in the current scenario. It has been referring to the purchase and the selling of the products through the implementation of the internet. In ecommerce, there has been the transfer of the money and the data, which is used for the execution of transactions. It has been referring to the sale of the products through an online mode (Mandel, 2017). It has been targeting commercial transactions that can be done through the implementation of the web, internet.
It has been clearly mentioned that eCommerce has been operating the business of the online. The transaction has been done smoothly for this ongoing transaction procedure or the survival. The history of ecommerce has been begun from 11 august 1994 (Sari et al. 2016). Therefore, it is not a new kind of term, which has been popular in the market. Ecommerce has been pursuing the responsibilities of evolving the products to make it easier for buying. There has been the association of the independent freelancers, small and large business and corporation who is now benefiting from e-commerce.
2.2 Concept of Business Sustainability
Business sustainability is equally termed as corporate sustainability. It has been defined as the management and the cooperation of the financial, environmental and the social demands. It has been aimed to define the responsibility and the ethical successes of a company. Rather economic, social and financial standards have been defined as the three of the pillars of sustainability. In the case of the corporate organisations or the standards, business sustainability has been sometimes referred to as the triple bottom line (Tur-Porcar, Roig-Tierno & Llorca Mestre, 2018). However, the concept stands to be different from those of the traditional concept, but it has been accumulating all the profits in short and the long-term methods.
There have been various goals of ecommerce. The goals of sustainability have required an extension of time for the return of the investment in organisations. After the stages of the initial investments are made in an online mode, they are sought to be increased with profitability. One example of this business suitability has been referring to the fact of free cooling. This free cooling has been taking the freeness of the naturally occurring phenomenon to control all the temperatures in organisations (Sivarajah et al. 2020). Therefore, business sustainability is a successful step in organisations.
2.3 Positive Aspects of E-Commerce on Business Sustainability
The positive aspects can be summarised below:
Gaining New Customers
E-commerce has been responsible for attracting new clients. It has successfully eradicated the old customers who are unable to confer the terms of the business sustainability (Chun, 2019). These new customers have been liable to conform to the rules and the regulation of the business sustainability.
Lowering the Cost
The e-commerce facilities have an advantage of dealing with products at lower costs. This has engaged a large number of customers to be a part of the business. Not only that, but also lower costing has been leading to the generation of a large number of products. Therefore, the lower cost is a significant factor.
Reducing the Time
In dealing with business sustainability e-commerce has taken much less time in a transaction of the money, which has been sent by the customers (Dhote & Zahoor, 2017). It has taken less time for the production of its goods. Less time has allowed higher percentages of production.
Enabling Higher Deals
Ecommerce has been allowed with much higher deals and bargains, which has been required to make a business sustainable. It has been allowing coupons, which have provided twining facilities of production. It has been encouraging the buying in the group mode for the customers to enjoy.
2.4 Negative Aspects of E-Commerce on Business Sustainability
The negative aspects can be summarised below:
Lack of Security
In case of dealing with the business sustainability, there has been the issuing of the e-commerce facilities for the rousing of the business (Colin & Schwaiger, 2017). There has been the back of the next-gen walls of fire protection of the virus, which has been threatening the business of the organisations.
Lack of Industrial Facilities
There has been a lack of many urgent and important resources, which has the ardour of making the business sustainable. There has been a lack of technical maintenance in the organisation, which can opt to make the business sustainable for the present as well as the future use.
Lack of Network
In the case of e-commerce, there has been a lack of communication speed, which has been used for the daily communication between the clients and the suppliers (Lobbers & Benlian, 2019). There has been even a lack of time in the sharing of the file between the users and the receivers, which have been needed, for making the business sustainable.
Lack of Standards
There has sometimes been a lack of ethicality in the case of the e-commerce business. These ethics have been maintained in case of supplies and transfer of the products. Therefore, if this ethicality chain has been broken, it has been leading to several faults and defects in the...