Managing E-Commerce in Organizations BMGT-304 (3)	University of Maryland University College Electronic Distance Education Heidelberg, Germany
DE Term 4, 2002-2003; Dates: 7 Apr. - 25 Jul. 2003

(3 sem. hours via Electronic Communications)

Course Description: (Formerly BMGT 388M.)

An introduction to the ways in which organizations create, identify, and distribute information; market products; and manage organizational units on the Internet using online commerce techniques, i.e., e-commerce management. Topics include e-commerce management principles, management of different types of organizations, integration of human and information technology resources, training and development, and information systems. The management of business units to implement technological marketing and knowledge-management strategies and the creation of new roles and responsibilities for managers in the e-commerce environment of organizations are also covered.

Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 304 or BMGT 388M.

This a required course for the E-Commerce and Technology Management minor and the certificate in E-Commerce Management.

This part of the marketplace is moving very fast. We need to run to keep up. More importantly, we need to start now. I hope you will join me for this exciting on-line course.

Our text surveys the variety of business and technology models and skills involved in e-commerce. It is comprehensive and will provide you with an excellent foundation for exploring the subject. We will also use the UMUC on-line database and other Internet-based sources extensively to amplify the text information.

We will look at how to build an e-commerce company for long-term success. Your text has a variety of exercises that enable you to explore the breadth and depth of this subject using the Internet. Each week we will reach into different sectors of the E-Commence world and explore specific examples as we build a mosaic of this complex, fluid world. By the end of the course you will have a solid foundation for making intelligent judgments about and participating in E-Commerce activities. So come; join in the fun.

Assignments/Evaluation/Grades:

I will try to help every student earn an "A" by demonstrating a mastery of course concepts. I do understand that students have many other responsibilities, but it is your responsibility to your own learning and to assisting the learning of others in this class that I will be most concerned with. I will work with every student within reason to help her or him complete this course successfully. I grade each exam and assignment on a relative scale (A-F; 70-0 points typically). Your final grade is a weighted average of your separate grades in this course with some allowance made for technical problems imposed by the delivery method (WebTycho with email backup). It will come as no surprise that for a variety of reasons a number of students each term choose not to earn an "A". See also my Grading Standards handout.

Policies/Procedures:

Consistent, quality participation and effort are essential if both you and the class as a whole are the reach our goals. You must check your WebTycho and your email at least once every 48 hours and respond to queries within one day (even if just to say when you will be able to give a more complete answer to the request). I will try to allow you time to explore the subject both individually and in small groups while giving you feedback on completed assignments.

Students will take turns leading group discussions.

Finally, do not fall behind. Work ahead if possible. Do some work on this course every day or two. Set aside time to do this. If confused, in doubt, or in need of a clarification on any aspect of the course, contact me first.

This then is the plan. Like all plans, it is subject to change as the course develops so stay tuned.