Strategies for Electronic Commerce and the Internet [Paperback]

Henry C Lucas Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2003

This book offers a novel approach for analyzing and developing business strategies for the Internet and electronic commerce. The topics addressed include how to predict which firms will be successful, how a manager should respond to competitors who adopt the Internet and electronic commerce, and how a company can obtain a competitive advantage in times of intense competition and proliferating information technology. The book uses case studies (including Dell Computer, Cisco Systems, Charles Schwab, and Merrill Lynch) and develops a dynamic resource-based model of strategy.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Internet isn't going anywhere. Businesses that exploit it wisely will succeed, while those who don't will have to struggle mightily to compete. Academic business analyst Henry C. Lucas Jr. seeks strategies that work and reports on them in Strategies for Electronic Commerce and the Internet. Definitely not light reading, the prose is targeted at managers, executives, and entrepreneurs charged with developing or improving their company's Internet-related business.

Following the work of successful organizations like Cisco and Dell, analyzing strategies of dot-com phenomena like Amazon.com, and considering the introduction of massive change into a company's infrastructure, Lucas provides a complete education on the whys and hows of electronic commerce. Readers who fill in the details and put their own Internet plans into action will be at a distinct advantage--until the next communications revolution. --Rob Lightner --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Lucas (information systems, Univ. of Maryland; The T-Form Organization) effectively reinforces what others have said before: the Internet and e-commerce have allowed new markets to emerge. For example, many companies have become "virtual manufacturers," with activities such as the design and marketing of products occurring in numerous locations. According to Lucas, this new economy has created a need for new business models, and his book places a strong emphasis on developing such models by providing an in-depth look at "resource analysis" tables and case studies of successful companies that have experienced these changes, among them Dell Computer, Cisco Systems, and Charles Schwab. Aiming to help managers of traditional companies supplement their understanding of electronic commerce, he also addresses how companies can keep up with the competition once they decide to transform their business and outlines a concise plan of action. Another book on this topic is Craig Fellenstein and Ron Wood's Exploring E-Commerce, Global E-Business, and E-Societies (Prentice-Hall, 1999), which takes a broader view, covering the impact of e-commerce on the global economy. Recommended for business collections in academic libraries. Bellinda Wise, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 279 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (February 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262621738
• ISBN-13: 978-0262621731
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,278,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, well-written, and strongly grounded, April 28, 2003

By 

Amrit Tiwana "www.bus.iastate.edu/tiwana" (Decatur, Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strategies for Electronic Commerce and the Internet (Paperback)

This is a well-written book that is grounded firmly in some of the most groundbreaking theories in academia (aka the resource-based view). The book proposes a dynamic resource model for e-business. In my reading of this book, that model itself makes this book worth the price. It is one of the most articulate analytical tools. Once you think about all of the dot coms we saw come and go in the past five years through this book's lens, it all comes together. I used this as the basis for one of my business school courses and was pleasantly surprised how well my students could relate to the concepts and ideas discussed here. The author deserves much credit for clean and cohesive writing. The book is short and an easy read. But do not letthe size fool you: there is much substance and timelessness in the book. Chapter 3 was my favorite part. It is not based on the "flavor of the month." Rather it can be compared to Shapiro and Varian's Information Rules in terms of its looooong shelf life and fad-free nature. Although the book has e-commerce in its title, it is more about e-business. After you're done readintg the book, the Dynamic Resource Model is worth photocopying and framing (really!). Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars A strategic & bus. school level view of e-business strategies and Internet business models, March 22, 2007

By 

birdman_luke "kam" (Great Falls, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strategies for Electronic Commerce and the Internet (Paperback)

Although, I came across this book in my MBA program, I would recommend it to anyone looking to explore an internet model for a new or establish brick-and-mortar business. Not to be scared. This was a very easy to read book; not too long. Great resource based tools (tables) for exploring your competitive advantage.

The book was published in 2002 by MIT Press. So, you get a perspective of post dot.com bust. What worked and was not just about growth.

As I mentioned, the book is well organized for those looking for a more indepth understanding and framework for analyzing e-business models. Lucas does a great job with terminologies. Clearly goes over the differences between e-business, e-commerce, disintermediation vs. intermediation, sustainable competitive advantage, and capturing new resources.

Highly recommend this book if you are a bus. grad student or strategy consultant. I just posted it as one my top Must Read books on my own blog [...]

Kameran

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is great., March 26, 2004

By 

power_wong (Hong Kong Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strategies for Electronic Commerce and the Internet (Paperback)

Without a lot of complicated theory, this book just tells you why and how some dot.com works and some lost. I like it gave us a lot of real life examples to illustrate the Dynamic Resource-bases Model. After reading it, I got more ideas to think about when facing an e-commerce issue.