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July 2010 Vol. 9 - Issue 7

Fact of the Month

Around 27,500 people worldwide gain internet access every hour.


Feature of the Month: E-Commerce

The understanding of E-Commerce has evolved substantially over time. The original meaning was just taken to mean a transaction done with the assistance of any sort of electronic data exchange. Credit cards, ATMs, and banking done by telephone were all considered forms of E-Commerce. With the development and widespread growth of the Internet, E-Commerce has evolved in both definition and utility.

Any product purchased or sold over the internet is considered a facet of E-Commerce. The conveniences provided in being able to easily compare prices, tailor the shopping experience to the customer, as well as arrange for the product to be shipped right to one’s home or place of business has made E-Commerce a fast-growing trend. The largest limiting factor on the growth of E-Commerce around the world has simply been the number of people with access to the Internet.

The largest growth in Internet access is currently coming from developing countries. China, which experienced a 31 percent growth in 2009, now has over 221 million people using the Internet, the most in the world. Other places like Russia and Brazil are expected to see large growths as well, with nearly 30 percent of all business transactions expected to occur online. With increased Internet security features becoming available and more reputable sellers springing up, customer confidence in E-Commerce has gone up, and business done on the Internet should continue to grow substantially.


From the globalEDGE Blog

Widespread use of the Internet has led to a decline in the prevalence of traditional brick-and-mortar businesses, and this disparity will continue to shift as more people worldwide are provided with Internet access. Buying online is simply more convenient, and most of the time more affordable than traveling to a physical location and purchasing a good or service. Even more convenient, however, is the ability to conduct business and make purchases while on-the-go. With an increasing number of Smartphones sprouting up all over the world, making purchases has never been easier. Mobile commerce is a trend we can expect to see entire business strategies built around.


Featured Resources

United Nations: UNdata
This searchable statistical database provided by the United Nations Statistics Division was created to provide current, relevant and reliable statistics free of charge to the global community. The database covers a number of different areas such as Employment, Industry, and Trade. A single interface, customizable tables, filter and search options make sorting and locating specific statistical information easier.
Category: Statistical Data Sources

Centre for Intercultural Learning
The Centre for Intercultural Learning (Canada Foreign Affairs) focuses on fine-tuning intercultural skills vital to a successful international experience. The Centre has created over one hundred “Cultural Insights” providing a local and Canadian prospective on culture for countries all over the world. Also available in French.
Category: Culture
 

  • For a more comprehensive list of resources, check out globalEDGE's Resource Desk!

Featured Academy

Key Industry Drivers of Globalization
The Key Industry Drivers of Globalization module offers one a general understanding of issues including: the historical circumstances and the forces that currently drive globalization; the implication of globalization on business in the U.S.; the key drivers for a successful global strategy; and the four basic forces that drive globalization.
Category: Online Course Modules

CasePlace.org
CasePlace.org focuses on cases that incorporate "social impact management" into business education. It is a service of the Aspen Institute's Initiative for Social Innovation through Business.
Category: Case Depositories

  • For more links to academy resources, check out our Academy Page on globalEDGE!
     

globalEDGE Business Review

"Worldwide Faculty Perceptions of Marketing Journals:Rankings, Trends, Comparisons, and Segmentations"
By: Tomas Hult

How does the marketing professorate at the top business schools worldwide rate marketing journals? In this study of 629 faculty members, the authors rank marketing journals using the Popularity/Familiarity and Importance/Prestige Indices. Overall rankings are presented along with ten segmented rankings based on faculty rank, geographic location of schools, and subareas within marketing. A trend analysis using 1987, 1997, and 2007 data is also conducted, and comparisons to ranking studies using different methodologies are summarized.

  • If you wish to share your expertise on an issue in international business, visit our gBR Homepage to see how and where to submit your entry.
     

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