E-Business Technologies have altered the Nature of Competition within Essay

E-Business Technologies have altered the Nature of Competition within Amazon - Essay Example A variety of e-business technologies and its applications are developed to enhance commerce online through internet. Though World Wide Web is considered to be the only e-business technology but the reality is that it is the only one feature amongst several other features (Fontana, 2000, pp.9-10). E-business technologies are composed of a set of technologies that work through internet. These e-business technologies comprises of websites, search engines, browsers, e-procurement software etc. On the other hand, internet can solely be described as several computers connected together in a form of network through telephone lines or other tools. As electronic business involves a large number and variety of technologies so the range of its applications is also large (Gladwin, 2001, pp.12). E-business affects business from the first step to the last. It marks the definition of the product as it is easier to redefine the current product. In e-business through technology it has also become easier to introduce new products and services. E-business has also changed the features of the traditional trade. E-business has effects on all steps of commerce from development of products or services to dealing with suppliers and distributors to sending of products or services to the customers. It has also led businessmen into difficulty in starting a business (Ball & McCulloch, 1999, pp. 222-228). Also, in e-business following what others are doing may not be a good criterion for starting an e-business as for example some clothing companies stepped into e-business by developing their websites where customers can easily see the company†™s designs and products and place their orders online. But the same sort of e-business may not be a good start for other companies dealing in some other goods or services (Cox, 2000, pp.32). For example: businessmen dealing in vegetables and fruits while seeing the rise in the trend of e-business in fashion tried to follow their steps but unfortunately they fail as customers would prefer to go to vegetable market for buying vegetable rather than placing order online (Conner, 2001, pp.13). Inventions in existing technologies are taking place and researchers come up with innovative technology gadgets every day. Whenever any innovative technology is invented, it is assumed that it will further simplify the existing technology, would be more efficient and would also be user friendly. At the same time it would also save time and reduce cost. But the technologies that were invented since early 1980s gave a chance to entirely change the practices in businesses that were in vogue then and to adopt completely new methods (Corcoran, 2001, pp.13). But, unfortunately those modernizations were not readily accepted and followed by the companies. In e-business the innovative technologies provide commerce with an opportunity to disconnect with the past and start afresh. This gives the firms a chance to revolutionize and get an economical benefit over their competitors. The most important factor that is of major concern to the businessmen is the quick alteration and uncertainty in the business environment. There are several reasons of this quick alteration and uncertainty in the business environment among them the most important ones are new technological inventions, diversified and rapidly changing market needs, growing competition and challenging customers with growing demands (Bull, 2000, pp. 102-143). The risky activities relating to business are increased due to the quickly altering and uncertain kind of business environm

Project Saturn Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Project Saturn - Case Study Example Saturn was to be a plant to produce a brand new car; GM had not been introducing a brand new car for some time. The name Saturn bears the name of the rocket ship the astronauts used to go to the moon. Saturn was to combine innovative technique in labor relations and innovative manufacturing technique. Roger Smith said that Saturn was the key to GM's long-term competitiveness, survival and success, and its mission was "to develop and produce an American-made small car that will be fully competitive with the best of the imports ' [and] affirm that American ingenuity, American technology and American productivity can once again be the model and the inspiration for the rest of the world." (Ingrassia) After careful planning, with intervention from governors of different states to have the plant built in their jurisdictions, Smith proceeded with the project in Spring Hill, Tennessee. More than two decades later, a new brand of recession hits the world. GM has a pending application for a bailout by the White House. And Saturn is about to be sold out to whoever wants it. What happened to the GM savior after all these years' It was Smith's dream - the savior concept of Saturn to put GM back on track. In the 1980s, GM was still struggling or was just recovering from the harsh realities of the recession. Yet, it was threatened by other auto giants of the time, like Ford, and the Japanese automakers Honda and Toyota. These companies had their own brand competitive cars and a distinct but effective management. Issue No. 2: How effective was the new brand of management and new technology on Saturn to bring GM to its desired leadership in the industry' The innovative technique in labor relations indeed materialize, but not the technology that Smith envisioned. Smith and the UAW agreed on a Memorandum of Agreement to implement plans for innovative technique in labor relations. Smith and UAW head Donald Ephlin signed the MOU which stated this principle: "We believe that all people want to be involved in decisions that affect them, care about their jobs and each other ' and want to share in the success of their efforts." This kind of effort proved effective and beneficial for the plant employees. They were now part of the management of the plant and even in hiring new employees. They felt they were part-owners of Saturn. But this produced resentment inside GM. Other GM brands viewed Saturn as unfair to them. The first Saturn cars went on sale in the fall of 1990 to great fanfare. When the Japanese auto makers bought one Saturn car and opened it up, they all laughed to what they discovered: "the dashboard had overlapping plastic panels that made it look cheap, and a harsh-sounding engine that stemmed from inferior motor mounts." (Ingrassia) Issue No. 3 - Did Saturn bring GM financial successes, and otherwise' Saturn was behind arch-rival Ford in earnings, quality and every other measure. GM's financial performance was lagging. The quality or different kind of car that Saturn was to build as envisioned by Smith did not materialize. Smith had bought whole companies, like Ross Perot's