Environmental Scanning in a Networked Economy

1. Identify at least five (5) criteria that you feel are important for a good Web site. List these criteria in your paper and explain each one clearly, one at a time.
2. Define a scale from 1 to 10 for each of your criteria. That is, what constitutes a 1, a 3, and so on. Accomplish this independently from evaluating an actual environment. (make higher scores indicative of better performance).
3. Now…identify an industry that you are interested in. Identify and describe this industry early in your paper. Be sure to state whether the industry is in the manufacturing or service sector of the economy and describe the kinds of products and services offered in this industry. 
4. Now, go on the Internet and find the Web sites for these firms. Record their Web addresses and the ease in which you obtained the URLs. Find the major players in your chosen industry. At least 3 - 5 firms must have a Web site, otherwise you must pick a new industry and start the search over again.
5. Using each of your criteria and your predefined scale, score each site. Then total up the scores for the five criteria for each site to get a total overall score for each Web site.
6. Now report your findings from steps 5 in your paper. BUT…report your findings in rank order starting with the site with the best total overall score and ending with the firm with the worst total overall score. Make certain that in your paper you report for every firm its scores on every one of your criteria (use tables) as well as your reasons for giving them these scores!!! This means that for every site you must report its total overall score, its scores on each of your criteria, and your reasons for assigning each of these scores.
7. Now that you've examined the major players in an industry, how strategically important is the Web for each firm, the average firm in that industry, and the industry itself? You may want to discuss this point using a 2 by 2 table where the horizonal axis represents strategic importance for the industry and the vertical axis represents strategic importance for the firms.
8. Attach an appendix page to list any sources for information used in your paper (and Web site addresses).
9. Make sure your paper meets the assignment format guidelines below.

• This paper, if done properly, should be roughly 3-4 pages in length (excluding examples, attachments, etc.)
• All written papers must be typed and double-spaced on 8.5" x 11" paper, font size 12, standard 1" margins. Page numbers must be present and papers must be stapled.
• All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Assignments turned in after class starts will be counted as late and will be assessed a severe grading penalty. Papers not received within 24 hours of the due date will not be accepted and will be given a grade of 0.
• Papers may have a cover page, but do not place papers in any kind of folder or binder. Simply staple pages in the upper left corner. Do not add verbiage for the sake of length. The paper should be coherent, not ramble, or be sloppy. Remember, papers will be graded on the following criteria: spelling & grammar (!), organization, clarity, content, and whether or not it meets the specific assignment requirements. Use software features to check spelling and grammar. However, DO NOT assume that the software will catch all errors. Please proofread your work carefully. Be sure to cover all assignment parts. Use headings for each part.

Assignment 1 is worth 10% of your grade in CIS 502 and is Due Wednesday 6/9.