E-commerce in Higher Education: can we afford to do nothing?

Andrew Aird     Andrew@gold.ac.uk

Ariadne 2001
(ReLIS:doi:doiari:y:2001:i:26:p:7)

Abstract:

With e-commerce emerging as the driving force behind commercial websites, its impact is beginning to be felt in the non-commercial sector. Those of us working in HE, in particular, need to prepare carefully if we are to reap the rewards and avoid the pitfalls by establishing appropriate ‘business’ structures as well as refining technical and managerial approaches. These were conclusions of the e-commerce parallel session at the Web Management Conference at Bath University in September. A survey of existing and planned e-commerce systems in HE, illuminated by a HE case study and a detailed presentation from online payment and security specialists Trustmarque plc were the main features of the session. I have tried to draw these threads together to look at the state of e-commerce in HE and to see if “Essential. It's happening!” (a comment from the survey) really sums up the present situation, and likely future developments.

Note: Andrew Aird argues that the impact of e-commerce is beginning to be felt in the non-commercial sector, and reveals the results of a survey of opinion taken after a recent web management workshop.
Month: 10-January-2001
Year: 2001

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