The History Of The Electronic Commerce Infrastructure

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

This Study Guide is designed to provide you with details of this module, the learning outcomes, delivery and assessment arrangements. The Study Guide consists of 6 parts.

Part 1 gives background details to the subject area are provided and the broad aims of the module are set out.

Part 2 consists of the module outline. In this part the (a) module learning outcomes, (b) the themes and topics to be explored are explained along with the (c) learning supports to be used.

Part 3 gives details of the module delivery arrangements. It sets out the session arrangements and the expectations in relation to your prior preparation and student engagement.

Part 4 provides details of the assessment techniques used in this module explaining the assessment components, their rationale.

Part 5 explains the UCD grading policy and grade descriptors drawing on the university document are given for each assessment component (i) Pre-module assignment, (ii) Main Assignment and (iii) Examination (closed book).

Part 6 presents the concluding comments.

Background Details

Background to the Topic

Technological and infrastructural advances have enabled in a revolution in the conduct of business. There is so little difference between commerce and ecommerce that, with very few exceptions, the latter term is virtually redundant. Yet, the infrastructural developments which have enabled this change are largely opaque to non-technical (and quite a few technical!) managers. However, as with any other facet of business, e-commerce infrastructure requires to be managed and managers therefore require to have a grasp of the basic concepts underlying this advancing technology. Successful management of e-commerce infrastructure is now core management skill and provides a source of competitive advantage .

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to provide students with a working knowledge of the theory and practice of Internet communications and its the supporting infrastructure. It focuses on providing a framework for understanding and using recent ecommerce advances.

The assessment tasks for this module have been designed with this in mind as detailed later in the study guide.

PART 2: MODULE OUTLINE

Module Title: Electronic Commerce Infrastructure

Module Code: BSc16 SL

No. of ECTS: 10

Module Learning Outcomes

On completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:

Identify and discuss internet infrastructural components

Discuss and evaluate current and emerging electronic commerce technologies

Examined and develop the role of e-commerce applications

Identify ecommerce opportunities with a particular focus on Web 2.0

Critically appraise specific advantages provided by wireless and 4G

Module Text: Business Data Communications (10th ed) Fitzgerald, J and Dennis, A. Publisher: Wiley Internation ISBN 978-0-470-40027-2

Themes and Topics

eCommerce Infrastructure Boot Camp: Introduction to Data Communications Networks and components, Introduction to Network Models ans Standards, Future Trends in ecommerce Infrastructure

Networking Concepts: Network Applications, Data Circuits and Transmission, The Data Link layer, TCP/IP

Network technologies: Ethernet, Wireless Lans, Backbones, Wide Area Networks, The Internet

Network Management: Security, Network Design, Network Administration

Learning Materials

For this module, please read the prescribed text and the additional readings assigned (see list below).

Prior to the sessions, time will be required to be given to reading and assessing a case from the text as detailed on Table 1. Please read this case before classes begin and draw up responses to the questions posed at the end of the case.

Readings from Prescribed Text:

Technical Focus 1.1 (P11), Management Focus 5.1 (P154), Technical Focus 5.4 (P181), Management Focus 6.1 (P205), Technical Focus 6.3 (P217), Hands-On Activity (P71)

Other Assigned Readings (essential):

Business Data Networks and Telecommunications (8th ed): Panko, R.L. and Panko, J.L Publisher: Pearson

ISBN978-0-13-255245-5

Chapters 1, 5, 9, 10.

Case Study:

Mini Case 1 (Prescribed Text (P33),

Other useful sources www.wiley.com/go/global/fitzgerald - Online Animations/ Lab Exercises

PART 3: MODULE DELIVERY SCHEDULE

The module delivery relies on students’ ability to engage in prior preparation, to seek confirmation and clarification as appropriate and to be actively engaged during the sessions.

Session Arrangements

Each student is expected to attend and be prepared for all sessions. Table 1 below outlines the structure for the sessions (03 Nov 2012 to 13th Nov 2012).

Table 1: Module Delivery Schedule – themes, readings, cases

No.

Theme /Topic

title

Date / Time

Text chapters articles/ Readings*

Case / exercise

1

Introduction to ecommerce Infrastructure Part 1

08.30 3rd Nov 2012

17.30 9rd Nov 2012

14.00 3rd Nov 2012

08.30 10rd Nov 2012

Ch1

Next Day Air Service

2

Introduction to ecommerce Infrastructure Part 2

Ch 1

3

Network Applictions; Circuits and transmossion

08.30 4th Nov 2012

14.00 10th Nov 2012

14.00 4th Nov 2012

08.30 11th Nov 2012

Ch 2 & CH 3

Examine HTTP Packets

Email Trace

IPConfig

4

The Data Link Layer and TCP/IP

Ch 4 & CH 5

5

Network Technologies; Ethernet, WANs, The Internet, Wireless LANs

17.30 5th Nov 2012

14.00 11th Nov 2012

17.30 66h Nov 2012

17.30 126h Nov 2012

17.30 76h Nov 2012

17.30 136h Nov 2012

Ch 6 to Ch 10

The Human Internet

Elementary Cryptography

6

Network Security and Administration

Ch 11 & Ch 13

7

IP Telephony and Cellular Technologies

CourseReview

App C & App D

* Some chapters in the text are assigned for more than one theme.

Preparation Required in Advance of Sessions / Seminars

In addition to the pre-course assignment, you are expected to have read the following topics in advance of meeting the module coordinator / course lecturer at the seminars:

WiMax

4G

VoIP (Skype)

Packet Switching

Binary and Hexadecimal Numbering systems

Encryption

Student Engagement

The course will be highly participative and questioning of the material will be encourged

During the sessions, students are expected to be able to discuss issues arising from the assigned chapters and readings for the topics as scheduled above.

Session participation is a vital element in the design of this module. Therefore, all students are expected to engage in class discussion and debate in order to facilitate the formation of their critical judgements.

To support your learning, Power-Point slides will be available which (on certain occasions) may need to be upgraded / modified during or following the sessions depending on the issues raised.

Office Hours

I will be available on 5th to 7th Nov Incl, 9th Nove and 12th to 13th Nov Incl 08.30 to 14.00,

should you wish to meet me individually to discuss any aspect of this module.

PART 4: ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Assessment is undertaken to establish the extent of student learning on completing a module and according to Biggs and Tang [1] (2009) it is the senior partner of teaching and learning. This module has three assessment components with specific weightings and marks awarded totalling 100 [2] . The purpose of each assessment is as follows:

Assessment 1 (The Pre-Course Assignment) aims to promote awareness of the pervasiveness of ecommerce infrastructure. It is also designed to focus your learning in preparation for the face to face sessions.

Assessment 2 (The Main Assignment) is designed acquaint students with the process of of planning and implementing an ecommerce infrestructuree

Assessment 3 (The Examination) is the formal examination which aims to get insights on your understanding of issues (theory and practice) addressed in the module.

Students are expected to complete all assignments ensuring that they are submitted by the specified date. All submissions must be typed, be well laid out, written in an academic style with appropriate headings (introduction, main part and concluding comments) and sections.

Please ensure that all submissions are entirely your own work – for UCD’s policy on plagiarism click on the link below (please see Appendix 2 for further information on Plagiarism and the policy on the Late Submission of Coursework):

http://www.ucd.ie/registry/academicsecretariat/plag_pol_proc.pdf

The weighting assigned for each component is shown in Table 2 below. (* I = Individual; G = Group)

Table 2 – Assessment Components

Assessment components Weighting Individual / Group*

Pre-module Assignment 10% I

Assignment 40% G

Examination 50% I

Module Assessment Components

In the following pages, further details of each assessment component are presented along with expectations in relation to prior preparation and completion.

Pre-Module Assignment

CASE STUDY: A Case study, (Next Day Air Services) has been published on blackboard. This case serves as an introduction to the impact of e-commerce technology (potential or actual) on the conduct of business in a modern company. Students are requested to carry out the five exercises associated with this case (which is abstracted from Business Data Communications (10th ed) (Fitzgerald).

Your submissions should be in the region of 2000 words

Standards need to be met for a student Grade:

Grading will be based on the clarity of proposals and how well the student demonstrates their comprehension of the material(40% of overall mark), the extent of demonstrated background research (20% of the overall mark) and relevant bibliographical material cited ( 20% of the overall mark). Writing style and strength of argument will also be taken into consideration (20% of overall mark)

An A grade will be awarded in cases where students attain an aggregate mark of 70% in regard to coverage of the foregoing criteria. A B grade will be awarded here the student obtins an aggregate mark of between 65% and 69%.

Table 2B – Assignment Deadline Summary

Assignment Deadlines

Date Assignment Due

Pre Course Assignment (PCA)

4th Nov 2012

Main Assignment (MA)

1st Dec 2012

This Pre Course Assignment (PCA) must be submitted in hard copy. See the PCA deadline in table 2B above. Please read the Grade Descriptors in the PCA Grade Descriptor table.

Main Assignment:

Candidates will be required, in syndicates of not less than 3 and not more than 5 students, to select a real, existing business enterprise in Sri Lanka, with which is not, as yet, involved to any significant extent, in ecommerce., The objective of the project will be to scope, design and cost the implementation of an appropriate ecommerce infrastructure for the company in question. The project will require syndicates to prepare a detailed online or ebusiness strategy for the enterprise chosen, the nature and extent of which will be justified on a strictly cost-benefit basis. The individual components of the proposed infrastructure will be described in detail and will be similarly justified our cost benefit basis.

A detailed implementation plan for the ebusines infrastructure will be prepared and will clearly identify items on the critical path, together with the timescale for their putting-in-place. In the plan, reasons will be clearly stated where least cost options have not been selected. Plan will indicate in financial terms all the cost associated with the infrastructures components.. Where considered necessary by the syndicates, options will be put forward for various plans, together with justification further acceptance and rejection. Emphasis will be placed on the physical resources required to support proposed applications and for implement implementing network solutions. An exemplar website using a free web service will be used to demonstrate online the proposed ecommerce presence with the company or enterprise concern. The project will address as many as possible of the specific areas included in the seminar. An infrastrusture management plan, incorporating ongoing security systems and procedures should also be prepared.

Submissions will be expected to be not less than 6000 words (excluding diagrams, appendices and reference material). The appendix should include an outline of the contribution of each group member.

This Main Assignment must be submitted to your Programme Manager in hard copy. See the deadline in table 2B. Please read the Grade Descriptors in the Main Assignment Grade Descriptor table.

Examination:

The examination (3 hours) will focus on module themes and the material covered in the text, cases, assigned readings, videos and class discussions. For this, students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of theory and practice addressed throughout the module. The examination question format will be designed to allow you show your understanding of the topics discussed and also reveal your learning (new and prior). More specific guidelines regarding the examination paper format and questions will be provided during the final session.

The paper will consist of one essay-style and five multipart questions. The essay start question will be mandatory. Of the remaining five questions, candidates will be required to attend only three. All questions will carry equal marks. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions about its design and style and be advised the type of answers expected.

A recent past examination paper is included in Appendix 3 of this Study Guide, please be prepared for slightly different style of question.

PART 5: GRADING

This section of the Study Guide provides students with details of the UCD grading system and also explains criterion referenced grading (UCD Policy). Under criterion referenced grading, students are graded on the quality of their work without reference to other students (norm referenced). For instance, the submission that meets the required guidelines in terms of writing style, analysis, description and / or summary will be awarded according to the standards set out. All students’ work is graded to indicate the standard attained using the criterion referenced approach.

Table 3: UCD Grading System

Grade

Description

Grade Point

A +

A

A-

Excellent

4.2

4.0

3.8

B+

B

B-

Very good

3.6

3.4

3.2

C+

C

C-

Good

3.0

2.8

2.6

D+

D

D-

Acceptable

2.4

2.2

2.0

E

Marginal

1.6

F

Fail (unacceptable, no compensation)

1.0

G

Fail (Wholly unacceptable; no compensation)

0.4

NG

Fail (Wholly unacceptable; no relevant attempt)

0.0

More specific grade descriptors are set out for your assessment components in the following pages. Table 4 below provides descriptors for the Pre-Module Assignment – please read them prior to submitting your work.

Table 4: Grade Descriptors – Pre-Module Assignment/ Pre Course Assignment

Grade

Criteria

A [3] 

Complete clarity in your submission. All reference material unambiguously cited, comprehensive and relevant. Topic comprehensively covered. No extraneous or irrelevant material included. Judicious use of diagrams in support of arguments made. Overall, the project demonstrates an exceptionally clear understanding of the material of e-commerce infrastructure relating to the case

B

Main aspects of submission stated clearly. Adequate reference material unambiguously cited. Topic adequately covered. Arguments made coherently in support of case. Overall, the project demonstrates an adequate understanding of the material of ecommerce infrastructure relating to the case.

C

Critical aspects of the submission stated clearly. Limited shortcomings in the nature and scope of that reference material cited. All the project demonstrates a basic understanding of the material of commerce infrastructure relating to the case

D

Some shortcomings in the clarity of the submission. Shortcomings in the scope and relevance of reference material presented. Overall the project demonstrates a limited understanding of the material of e-commerce infrastructure relating to the case

Table 5: Grade Descriptors – Main Assignment

Grade

Characteristics

A

Complete clarity in your submission. All reference and support material unambiguously cited, comprehensive and relevant. Topic comprehensively covered. Case for proposals made realistically and comprehensively. No extraneous or irrelevant material included. Judicious use of diagrams in support of arguments made. Overall, the project demonstrates an exceptionally clear understanding of the material of e-commerce infrastructure relating to the case. Costings and cost-benefit analyses realistic and supportable. Exceptional coordination/collaboration between syndicate members and industry partners clearly evident.

B

Clarity in your submission. All reference and support material unambiguously cited, adequate and relevant. Topics adequately covered. Case for proposals made realistically and adequately. No extraneous or irrelevant material included. Judicious use of diagrams in support of arguments made. Overall, the project demonstrates a clear understanding of the material of e-commerce infrastructure relaing to the case. Costings and cos-benefit analyses realistic and supportable. Adequate collaboration/coordination between syndicate members and industry partners clearly evident.

C

Generally, clarity in your submission. Most reference and support material unambiguously cited, adequate and relevant. Topics basically covered. Case for proposals made realistically and adequately. Very limited extraneous or irrelevant material included. Judicious use of diagrams in support of arguments made. Overall, the project demonstrates a basic understanding of the material of e-commerce infrastructure relaing to the case. Costings and cos-benefit analyses realistic and supportable. A basic level collaboration/coordination between syndicate members and industry partners clearly evident.

D

Generally, clarity in your submission. Most reference and support material unambiguously cited, adequate and relevant. Topics basically covered. Case for proposals made realistically and adequately. Very limited extraneous or irrelevant material included. Judicious use of diagrams in support of arguments made. Overall, the project demonstrates a basic understanding of the material of e-commerce infrastructure relaing to the case. Costings and cos-benefit analyses realistic and supportable. A basic level collaboration/coordination between syndicate members and industry partners clearly evident.

TABLE 6: Grade Descriptors – Formal Closed Book Examination

Grade

Characteristics

A

Essay and 3 other questions questions attempted. Answers comprehensive with inclusion of relevant additional material, outside course content in the case of each question.

B

Essay and 3 other questions attempted. Answers comprehensive with inclusion of relevant additional material, outside course content in the case of some questions

C

Essay and 3 other questions attempted.. Answers demonstrating the student’s adequate comprehension of relevant areas of the course material.

D

Essay and 3 other questions attempted. Answers demonstrating the student’s limited comprehension of relevant areas of the course material

PART 6: CONCLUDING COMMENTS

This Study Guide is designed to assist and guide your learning for this module. It is important that you read it regularly and do so in conjunction with the core text, the assigned readings and session materials. Should you need clarification on issues covered, please let me know during the seminar sessions.

I hope you enjoy the module and wish you good luck with the rest of your study and for the future.

Dr John D Byrne

Date: 18th Oct 2012

APPENDIX 1

UCD SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

STUDENT CODE OF PRACTICE – GROUP WORK [4] 

There are many reasons for using group work in higher education such as enhancing student learning, promoting social interaction among students, developing generic skills (including negotiation, delegation and leadership) and the individual students’ strengths and expertise. There is an onus on the group to ensure that individual members provide maximum effort in completing the assigned task/project. There is evidence to suggest that individuals frequently exert less effort on collective tasks than on individual tasks (Williams and Karau, 1991) [5] . As the group size increases the Ringlemann Effect emerges: there can be an inverse relationship between the size of the group and effort expended. It is fair to assume that group effectiveness will increase when members work on tasks that are mutually important and when each member believes they are contributing to an end goal.

UCD School of Business personnel are obliged to ensure that the operation and management of assigned group-work are consistent with the integrity of the university assessment process. It is also expected that, where the group-work contributes to a module grade, members are awarded grades that accurately reflect their contribution to the completion of the task.

This Code of Practice is developed to guide the work of student groups within an academic setting and safeguard the integrity of group-based projects as part of our assessment of student learning outcomes.

All Group members (whether assigned or self selected) are expected to contribute actively and equitably to the completion of the exercise/project.

All groups will set out and agree basic ground rules for their group in terms of group communication procedures, performance targets, arranging and organizing meetings, records, progress reports, solving problems, finalizing the project and signing off.

Roles (such as leader, convener or facilitator) might be assigned to particular group members to facilitate the working of the group and specific milestones (weekly) agreed.

Group membership diversity (cultural, professional etc.) needs to be acknowledged, valued and utilized as appropriate.

Group work undertaken by UCD School of Business students is subject to UCD policy on academic programmes. For further details on this policy go to http://www.ucd.ie/registry/academicsecretariat/student_code.pdf

UCD promotes an environment upholding the dignity and respect of all students as set out in its policy on Dignity and Respect –

University College Dublin is committed to the promotion of an environment for work and study which upholds the dignity and respect of the individual and which supports every individual’s right to study and/or work in an environment which is free of any form of harassment, intimidation or bullying.

The university recognizes the right of every individual to such an environment and requires all members of the University community to recognize their responsibilities in this regard.

Students are advised to read this policy document – click on:

http://www.ucd.ie/equality/policieslegislation/dignity_respect_policy.pdf

Any group member who is concerned about a member’s contribution to the group work (and associated activities) must firstly communicate this (at the earliest time possible) to the group members, and they must strive to resolve the problem.

If a group member believes that his/her concerns have not been addressed satisfactorily within the group, the matter should be brought to the attention of the module coordinator. The module coordinator/learning support officer (LSO) should strive to resolve the issue at group level. Where this has not been achieved, the Academic Coordinator and/or the School Head of Teaching and Learning will be informed.

Should the issues not be resolved, the parties above, taking into consideration the stipulations of this code and the University policy documents to which it refers, will to seek to mediate to find a solution, which is acceptable to group members and which retains the integrity of the group work assessment process.

Dr Ann Bourke,

Vice Principal for Teaching & Learning,

College of Business & Law

February 2010