It is required to submit a work (project) in comparison shopping or B2B exchanges, indicating a background on the subject, analysis and recommendations

The number of pages is preferable at least 5.

Here are the details:

1- Comparison Shopping

This mini project provides you with the opportunity to systematically compare Internet retailing and traditional retailing shopping experiences.

Pick a good or service that you (or someone you know) are planning to purchase. This could include products such as: shoes, medicine, toys, clothing, investment advice, groceries, wedding gift, insurance, sporting equipment, etc. Do NOT choose computer hardware or software, plane or event tickets, or books (these are too common).

The first section, Background, includes (a) a description of the range of alternatives available to a potential buyer of this product; and (b) explanation of the key purchase considerations, such as convenience and price. You are expected to explicitly draw on theories and concepts presented in class and in your readings, and to apply them to this type of purchase situation.

In the second section, Shopping Comparison, you will need to focus on two places to purchase the product on the Web, and two places to purchase the product in a physical retail establishment. Provide details of each of the four locations. You certainly do NOT have to complete the purchase of the product four times -- just once! You do, however, need to get far enough into the purchase process to be able to systematically compare the four purchase experiences using the key purchase considerations you identified in the first section. A summary table is expected.

The final section, Recommendations, is a summary of practical recommendations for improving the purchasing process (not the entire website or store) of each of the four purchase sites.

2- Exchanges

This mini project will help increase your understanding of the range of B2B e-commerce exchanges available, and how companies utilize B2B exchanges.

Let's assume that when you graduate from Temple, your marketing and e-commerce skills will be highly sought after. After weighing many options, you decide to work for a small but fast-growing management consulting firm. One of your first assignments is to work with a medium sized industrial manufacturer (SMM Company) that is in the process of revising its e-commerce strategy. As luck has it, you know very little about that industry, and need to get up to speed quickly. Specifically, SMM is considering joining a B2B exchange, as a seller and/or as a buyer, and wants you to evaluate the leading B2B exchanges used by companies in its industry. You may choose which B2B industry SMM is in. I will provide you with a partial list of B2B exchanges in the chemical industry, the metals industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and the electronics industry.

The first section, Background, is (1) a description of the range of alternatives available to Any Company, including general B2B exchanges and specific industry exchanges; and (2) a description and explanation of the key aspects or criteria the company should consider in evaluating the alternatives. Since you do not have extensive knowledge about THE COMPANY market, make and state reasonable assumptions as appropriate. You are also expected to provide evidence that you have read about the industry of your choice.

In the second section, Site Analysis, you need to focus on three of the exchanges, and systematically analyze what the sites offer, using the evaluation criteria you developed in the first section.

The final section, Recommendations, is a summary of practical recommendations to Any Company regarding the B2B exchanges.