Define e-commerce, and distinguish it from e-business.

1. Define e-commerce, and distinguish it from e-business.
2.Differentiate amoung B2C, B2B, C2C, and B2E electronic commerce.
3. Define E-Government
4.Discuss Forward and Reverse Auctions

Section 7.1
1. Define e-commerce, and distinguish it from e-business.
Electronic Commerce (EC) describes the buying and selling of products, services and information via computer networks, primarily the Internet. The term Electronic Business attempts to expand the definition of EC to include more than buying and selling, but also servicing customers, collaborating with business partners, and conducting electronic transactions within an organization. In this book we use the term electronic commerce in its broadest scope, as basically equivalent to eBusiness.
2. Differentiate among B2C, B2B, C2C, and B2E electronic commerce.
• Business-to-consurner EC involves companies selling direcdy to consumers over the Internet. A company that has been specifically created to do business on the Internet may do business-to-consumer sales, or an existing company may open its own online business.
• Business-to-business EC occurs when two or more businesses make transactions electronically.
• Con5umer-to-consumer EC occurs when consumers transact business over sites which allow direct selling of goods or services to other consumers, such as eBay.com, or other auction sites.
• Business-to-emplovee occurs when an employer uses F.C internally to provide information and services to its employees such as training, discounted insurance, travel packages and tickets to events.
3. Define e-government.
F.-government is the use of Internet technology in general and e-commence in particular to deliver information and public services to citizens, public employees, business partners, and suppliers. It is also an efficient way to do business within the government.
4. Discuss forward and reverse auctions.
A forward auction is used by sellers as a selling channel to many potential buyers. The buyers competitively bid on the item until the auction closes with the highest bidder winning. In reverse auctions, the buyer, usually an organization, seeks to buy a product or service and suppliers submit bids. Generally, the lowest priced bidder wins.
5. Discuss the various online payment mechanisms.
The following instruments are acceptable means of electronic payment: electronic credit cards, electronic checks, purchasing cards, electronic cash (stored-value money cards, smart cards, and person-to-person payments), and electronic bill presentadon and payment. In B2B. electronic checks are most commonly used for payments.
Micropayments are small payments of a few dollars or less. Smart cards are ideal for making payment of such small amounts needed for coffee shop purchase or train or subway fares.