BUY SOMETHING OVER THE NET: Purchase an item over the net using your credit card. Best candidates for small purchase - a CD (e.g., CDnow or 1-800-music-now) or the textbooks (e.g., Amazon) or software (e.g, Stream or Cybersource or Internet Shopping Network or atOnce). Or participate in the wave of the future -- an electronic auction (e.g., eBay, Onsale). Or, if you enjoy good grape, one of the classic web sites, Virtual vinyards. Log every process interaction, i.e. time, data, when shipped, arrival and condition. Be prepared to share this information (and your satisfaction level) with the class.
Weight: 5%.
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Points for your full participation in all case discussions and involvement/commitment to the class. Each group that is NOT writing up a case will be expected to research competitor ebusinesses to the case we are discussing, as well as preparing the case..
Weight: 10%
CASE MEMOS - Each group will write up two cases PRIOR to class and the case discussion. Each group case write up will consist of no more than a two-page (800 word) strategic recommendation memo. You are to place yourselves in the shoes of the management team in each case, and either solve the problem presented, or make suggestions for the future (as appropriate). The groups writing up the case will be responsible for leading the class discussion. Submit two pages (stapled with your names) at the beginning of class.
As well, each individual will write up two cases of your own choosing (separate from the group case); this is a similar strategic recommendation memo but you are limited to a 400 word maximum. I will enforce this. Submit one page (with your name or SSN) at the beginning of class.
Weight: Group Case Write-ups (30%), Individual Case Write-up (20%)
INTERNET BUSINESS ANALYSIS: Each individual will pick a firm that is currently doing business on the internet and analyze all aspects using as many words as necessary.
Weight: 20%
FINAL EXAM: I will hand out a business case during the final exam and you will be expected to analyze the business (using as many words as necessary) and compose a no more than a one-page (400 word) strategic recommendation memo.
Weight: 15%
Your performance in this course will depend on your ability to complete and submit your work assignments on time. When you are submitting your work I expect a professional submission. If it is not a web page, this means:
As an aside, I try to return your work the week after you submit it to me. I can achieve this goal if the papers are neat and readable. Now, some of you will ask "Why don't we just submit our assignments to you via the Internet?" Well, right now, for grading purposes, there is still no better (or faster), way for me to provide you with feedback than to have you print a paper copy of your work and submit it. As soon as I can annotate over top of your submissions (circling things, drawing arrows, making quick notes in margins, etc), then we can more effectively use electronic mail. Remember, I have 80-100 students and occasionally the workload may preclude a quick turnaround.
Last Changed Thursday, May 24, 2001