The E-Commerce Compass

Based on research conducted for the author's doctoraldissertation, this book provides an experiential perspective of the processused by successful electronic-commerce entrepreneurs. A new working model of theelectronic-commerce process has emerged from over fifty observations,interviews, and follow-up interactions. Observations, interviews, andfollow-up interactions are described here; providing a rich description of the essentialelements in e-commerce, as well as key inter-relationships that bring about itssuccess. Emergent themes in this book include (a) defining the e-commerce process, (b)process inter-relationships, (c) fundamental knowledge, skills, and abilities, (d)opportunity assessment, (e) market research, (f) competitive assessment, (g)strategy development, (h) financial development, (i) risk assessment, (j) technicaldevelopment, (k) web review, (l) technical management, (m) launch and implementation,and (n) ongoing innovation. Inter-relationships between the themes are identifiedand explored in ways not previously considered. The result is a virtualcompass for the entrepreneur, showing the way to build a successful e-commerce company.