Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-7-1-e-commerce [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [IB Diploma](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma.md) › [Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business.md) › [Business Management: IB Diploma](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma.md) › E-Commerce # E-Commerce Business Management: IB Diploma, topic 4.7.1 ## E-Commerce and M-Commerce E-commerce and m-commerce are changing the way people shop and this is also changing how businesses distribute their products and services. They are prime examples of how technological advances can impact businesses. ### E-commerce ![E-commerce](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/b8bab646-442c-45fb-98a9-d7553623307f/shutterstock_458494879.jpg) - E-commerce describes the purchases that take place electronically on the internet. ### M-commerce ![M-commerce](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/9add86d8-1fcf-4e93-a5b9-977430d5b970/shutterstock_328551176.jpg) - M-commerce is buying goods online using a mobile phone. ## Benefits of E-Commerce and M-Commerce There are many benefits of e-commerce and m-commerce: ### Reach more customers ![Reach more customers](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/217b52d8-3269-4796-a924-21ff32a5bf54/shutterstock_129602879.jpg) - Businesses can now easily sell their products to customers all over the world without setting up a physical store there. - A business’ products can reach international markets without setting up stores or overseas subsidiaries. - Small businesses in particular rarely have the finance (money) needed to set up shops internationally. Before e-commerce, expanding was harder for small businesses. ### Cheaper to set up a business ![Cheaper to set up a business](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/46a8d579-d416-45a0-bb2a-bd8b259b487c/amazon.jpg) - It is cheaper to set up a business that uses e-commerce. - Firms don’t have to invest lots of money in opening stores and hiring people to work in store. - Amazon was started by Jeff Bezos. He initially sold books from his garage and the only investment that he had to make was in a website and some books, rather than leasing (renting) a store. Amazon is now worth over $700bn. ### Sell direct to consumer (B2C) ![Sell direct to consumer (B2C)](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/4ca4ac42-5fb7-4d1c-aa75-782e09682148/shutterstock_669899482.jpg) - Because businesses are selling directly to the consumer, no middle men take a cut, and so the business can offer a lower price to the customer. - The business has lower average costs and usually lower prices. - This should help a business to remain competitive. ## Drawbacks of E-Commerce and M-Commerce There are also drawbacks of e-commerce and m-commerce for businesses: ### Increased competition ![Increased competition](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/91968473-57b4-4400-8b96-07889256d60b/shutterstock_635675588.jpg) - Because e-commerce allows business to easily reach wider markets, UK businesses face more competition. Foreign businesses can compete in the UK more easily. - For example, AussieBum sells men’s underwear and sportswear directly to customers in the UK from its production plant in Sydney, Australia. Prices are cheaper for UK customers than buying from approved retailers like House of Fraser and this allows AussieBum to compete against brands like Ted Baker in the UK. - Increased competition can have a negative effect on profits. ### Investment needed ![Investment needed](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/153b1744-bb9f-4d5a-b346-1307a3bc704b/shutterstock_541183837.jpg) - Firms must invest in specialists who can build websites. - Large businesses who sell a large volume of products may have to invest in warehouses and fulfilment centres. ### Selling online can create problems ![Selling online can create problems](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/81c8709f-3387-4b8c-99b8-b9a60a9b23d8/shutterstock_549055573.jpg) - Some goods are hard to judge from a computer or mobile phone. Consumers may want to see a product in person before buying it. - For example, people may want to sit on a sofa or mattress before buying it. However, companies like Casper are now successfully selling mattresses online. They offer a money back guarantee if people do not like their mattresses. ## Test yourself on E-Commerce - What is E-commerce? - Trainline sell train tickets via their mobile app and website. What type of commerce are they taking advantage of? - What are some benefits of e-commerce and m-commerce? - Why do businesses using e-commerce and m-commerce usually have lower prices? - What are the benefits of e-commerce and m-commerce? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/96f95cf2-8acd-4f01-87ce-ad02d9a86dab/section/76ff78a6-dfb6-414b-84e8-5a1f4caee15a/session) - Previous topic: [4.6.1 International Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-6-1-international-marketing.md) - Next topic: [5.1.1 Setting Operational Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-1-1-setting-operational-objectives.md) ## Business Management: IB Diploma contents ### 1 Business Organisation & Environment - 1.1 Introduction to Business Management - [1.1.1 Why Businesses Exist & Sectors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-1-1-why-businesses-exist-and-sectors.md) - 1.2 Types of Organisation - [1.2.1 Sole Traders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-2-1-sole-traders.md) - [1.2.2 Limited Liability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-2-2-limited-liability.md) - [1.2.3 Non-Profit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-2-3-non-profit.md) - [1.2.4 Franchising](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-2-4-franchising.md) - [1.2.5 End of Topic Test - Franchising](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-2-5-end-of-topic-test-franchising.md) - 1.3 Organisational Objectives - [1.3.1 External Environments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-3-1-external-environments.md) - [1.3.2 Business Mission & Corporate Objective](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-3-2-business-mission-and-corporate-objective.md) - [1.3.3 Mission, Corporate Objectives & Strategy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-3-3-mission-corporate-objectives-and-strategy.md) - [1.3.4 SWOT Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-3-4-swot-analysis.md) - [1.3.5 End of Topic Test - SWOT Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-3-5-end-of-topic-test-swot-analysis.md) - 1.4 Stakeholders - [1.4.1 Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-4-1-stakeholders.md) - 1.5 External Environment - [1.5.1 Social & Technological Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-5-1-social-and-technological-environment.md) - [1.5.2 Lifestyle & Technological Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-5-2-lifestyle-and-technological-environment.md) - [1.5.3 Corporate Social Responsibility](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-5-3-corporate-social-responsibility.md) - [1.5.4 Economic Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-5-4-economic-environment.md) - [1.5.5 Political & Legal Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-5-5-political-and-legal-change.md) - 1.6 Growth & Evolution - [1.6.1 Growth & Retrenchment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-1-growth-and-retrenchment.md) - [1.6.2 Challenges of Growth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-2-challenges-of-growth.md) - [1.6.3 Growth Models](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-3-growth-models.md) - [1.6.4 End of Topic Test - Diseconomies of Scale](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-4-end-of-topic-test-diseconomies-of-scale.md) - [1.6.5 Internationalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-5-internationalisation.md) - [1.6.6 Sourcing Resources & Entering Markets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-6-sourcing-resources-and-entering-markets.md) - [1.6.7 End of Topic Test - Internationalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-7-end-of-topic-test-internationalisation.md) - [1.6.8 Managing Internationalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-8-managing-internationalisation.md) - [1.6.9 Impact of Internationalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-6-9-impact-of-internationalisation.md) - 1.7 HL Only: Organisational Planning Tools - [1.7.1 Organisational Planning Tools](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/1-7-1-organisational-planning-tools.md) ### 2 Human Resource Management - 2.1 Functions & Evolution of Human Resource Management - [2.1.1 Setting Human Resource Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-1-1-setting-human-resource-objectives.md) - [2.1.2 Human Resource Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-1-2-human-resource-management.md) - [2.1.3 Labour Turnover & Retention](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-1-3-labour-turnover-and-retention.md) - [2.1.4 Labour Productivity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-1-4-labour-productivity.md) - 2.2 Organisational Structure - [2.2.1 Organisational Structures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-2-1-organisational-structures.md) - 2.3 Leadership & Management - [2.3.1 Managers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-3-1-managers.md) - [2.3.2 Management Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-3-2-management-theories.md) - [2.3.3 End of Topic Test - Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-3-3-end-of-topic-test-management.md) - 2.4 Motivation - [2.4.1 Motivating & Engaging Employees](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-1-motivating-and-engaging-employees.md) - [2.4.2 Taylor's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-2-taylors-theory.md) - [2.4.3 Maslow's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-3-maslows-theory.md) - [2.4.4 Herzberg's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-4-herzbergs-theory.md) - [2.4.5 Different Incentives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-5-different-incentives.md) - [2.4.6 Evaluating Incentives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-4-6-evaluating-incentives.md) - 2.5 Organisational (Corporate) Culture - [2.5.1 Managing Organisational Culture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-5-1-managing-organisational-culture.md) - [2.5.2 Organisational Structures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-5-2-organisational-structures.md) - 2.6 HL Only: Industrial/Employee Relations - [2.6.1 Improving Employer-Employee Relations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-6-1-improving-employer-employee-relations.md) - [2.6.2 Case Study - The Winter of Discontent](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/2-6-2-case-study-the-winter-of-discontent.md) ### 3 Finance & Accounts - 3.1 Sources of Finance - [3.1.1 Internal Sources of Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-1-1-internal-sources-of-finance.md) - [3.1.2 External Sources of Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-1-2-external-sources-of-finance.md) - [3.1.3 Factors for Financing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-1-3-factors-for-financing.md) - [3.1.4 End of Topic Test - Debt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-1-4-end-of-topic-test-debt.md) - 3.2 Costs & Revenues - [3.2.1 Costs & Revenues](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-2-1-costs-and-revenues.md) - 3.3 Break-Even Analysis - [3.3.1 Profit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-3-1-profit.md) - [3.3.2 Break-Even Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-3-2-break-even-analysis.md) - 3.4 Profitability & Liquidity Ratio Analysis - [3.4.1 Profitability Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-4-1-profitability-analysis.md) - 3.5 Cash Flow - [3.5.1 Cash Flow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-5-1-cash-flow.md) - [3.5.2 Solutions to Cash Flow Problems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-5-2-solutions-to-cash-flow-problems.md) - [3.5.3 Improving Cash Flow & Profits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-5-3-improving-cash-flow-and-profits.md) - 3.6 HL Only: Investment Appraisal - [3.6.1 Investment Appraisal](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-6-1-investment-appraisal.md) - 3.7 HL Only: Budgets - [3.7.1 Cash-Flow & Budgets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/3-7-1-cash-flow-and-budgets.md) ### 4 Marketing - 4.1 The Role of Marketing - [4.1.1 Setting Marketing Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-1-1-setting-marketing-objectives.md) - [4.1.2 Market Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-1-2-market-calculations.md) - 4.2 Marketing Planning - [4.2.1 Marketing Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-2-1-marketing-mix.md) - [4.2.2 Segmentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-2-2-segmentation.md) - [4.2.3 Niche & Mass Markets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-2-3-niche-and-mass-markets.md) - 4.3 Market Research - [4.3.1 Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-3-1-market-research.md) - [4.3.2 Market Mapping](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-3-2-market-mapping.md) - [4.3.3 Methods of Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-3-3-methods-of-market-research.md) - 4.4 The 4 Ps - [4.4.1 Product Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-1-product-decisions.md) - [4.4.2 Pricing Decisions & Price Skimming](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-2-pricing-decisions-and-price-skimming.md) - [4.4.3 Pricing Decisions & Price Penetration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-3-pricing-decisions-and-price-penetration.md) - [4.4.4 End of Topic Test - Pricing & Competition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-4-end-of-topic-test-pricing-and-competition.md) - [4.4.5 Promotional Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-5-promotional-decisions.md) - [4.4.6 Promotional Decisions 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-6-promotional-decisions-2.md) - [4.4.7 Promotional Decisions 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-7-promotional-decisions-3.md) - [4.4.8 Digital Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-8-digital-marketing.md) - [4.4.9 Evaluating Digital Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-9-evaluating-digital-marketing.md) - [4.4.10 Case Study - The Marketing Mix & Promotion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-10-case-study-the-marketing-mix-and-promotion.md) - [4.4.11 Place & Distribution](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-4-11-place-and-distribution.md) - 4.5 HL Only: The Extended Marketing Mix - [4.5.1 The Extended Marketing Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-5-1-the-extended-marketing-mix.md) - 4.6 HL Only: International Marketing - [4.6.1 International Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-6-1-international-marketing.md) - 4.7 E-Commerce - [4.7.1 E-Commerce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/4-7-1-e-commerce.md) ### 5 Operations Management - 5.1 The Role of Operations Management - [5.1.1 Setting Operational Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-1-1-setting-operational-objectives.md) - 5.2 Production Methods - [5.2.1 Production Processes Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-2-1-production-processes-overview.md) - [5.2.2 Production Processes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-2-2-production-processes.md) - [5.2.3 Production Efficiency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-2-3-production-efficiency.md) - [5.2.4 Technology & Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-2-4-technology-and-production.md) - 5.3 HL Only: Lean Prodution & Quality Management - [5.3.1 Importance of Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-3-1-importance-of-quality.md) - [5.3.2 Measuring & Identifying Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-3-2-measuring-and-identifying-quality.md) - [5.3.3 Total Quality Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-3-3-total-quality-management.md) - [5.3.4 Evaluating Total Quality Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-3-4-evaluating-total-quality-management.md) - [5.3.5 Case Study - Toyota Production System](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-3-5-case-study-toyota-production-system.md) - 5.4 HL Only: Production Planning - [5.4.1 Capacity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-1-capacity.md) - [5.4.2 Productivity & Efficiency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-2-productivity-and-efficiency.md) - [5.4.3 Technology & Efficiency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-3-technology-and-efficiency.md) - [5.4.4 Improving the Supply Chain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-4-improving-the-supply-chain.md) - [5.4.5 Inventory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-5-inventory.md) - [5.4.6 Outsourcing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-4-6-outsourcing.md) - 5.5 HL Only: Research & Development - [5.5.1 Organisational Planning Tools](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/business/business-management-ib-diploma/5-5-1-organisational-planning-tools.md)