« Group created for us on Weblogs@UPEI | Main | Public Good vs. Private Gain in the Networking Age »
Barriers to e-Business
The message thus far has, in general, been that we are in the early stages of the most profound "revolution" in history. In general this is true and most impressive. However, although the use of ebusiness technologies continues to expand rapidly and change the economy, organizations, and the lives of individuals dramatically, there are many barriers that may hinder its expansion.
 |
| Perceptual Barriers | Societal Barriers | Legal & Ethical Barriers | Organizational Barriers | Cultural Barriers | Technical Barriers |
Posted by Mark Hemphill on October 5, 2004 | Permalink
Comments
The barriers to ebusiness are present even in my life. I have many perceptual barriers to ebusiness. I won't give a credit card number, or anything that has to do with my personal records on the internet. I have never bought anything over the internet. The legal and ethical barriers also hit home after the controversial debate of Napster file sharing. Since then I think everyone has been up in the air about it. And finally, technical barriers also hit home after the talk about Inoperability. Some devices don't work in other places, and some don't work with other systems. This is a barrier that is unfortunate, and mostly due to Corporate Monopolization.
Posted by: Blake Crockett | Oct 6, 2004 7:53:49 PM
I can see where Blake is coming from in that he is not all that comfortable giving his credit card number and other personal information over the internet. I was first sceptical myself about giving that information over the net. However, I have bought a few things off of ebay and a couple other stores online and now I don't mind it. As long as I know who I'm dealing with I am fairly confident with sending that information.
Posted by: Steve MacLeod | Oct 7, 2004 12:22:44 AM
I can understand where Blake is coming from as well. I previous worked in the banking industry for over 12 years and I know my rights with my credit cards, however, until recently I was very resistant to purchasing anything over the internet. I recently purchased a couple of items over the Sears outlet website and everything went just fine.
In the banking industry we found that there was more fraud occurring with credit card numbers being stolen outside of internet use. That is not to say that everyone shouldn't be cautious when giving out this personal information.
Posted by: Tracey Gallant | Oct 7, 2004 8:34:38 AM
It is important to remember that security has always been a concern in regard to personal information and financial transactions.
Giving credit card information over the phone, especially a cell phone, is very risky. Giving information in person, to someone lacking in scruples too is risky.
Doing business online, as usual, isn't risk free. But there are safeguards like secure connectivity, digital signatures, encryption, privacy policies, escrow, fidicuary responsibility, and so on. Today we still have a strong fear in the unknown component of e-business. In time doing business on the Interent will become more transparent and as comfortable as doing business anywhere else.
Posted by: Mark | Oct 7, 2004 9:50:08 AM
Personally, I have had no trouble with perceptual barriers to E-business. Perhaps I have been too trusting in the past, but from the time I received my own credit card I have been doing my own shopping, as well as X-mas shopping through online stores, because let's face it, we live on PEI we weren't exactly blessed with many places to shop. However, saying that I must admit I have not purchased anything from an online company that I have never heard of before, I usually order directly from a store such as American Eagle or Gap or occasionally I use E-bay when I can find exactly what I am looking for.
Posted by: Kate | Oct 7, 2004 11:30:03 AM
Doing business online with your credit card is indeed a risky business. Sometimes I wonder if it is safer to use my credit card if I can see the cashier who is swiping it and I am present to sign it with my official signature. On the internet I cant put a face with the transaction I am making but is it any less safer than going into the future shop for example, and using my credit card to purchase an item there? IF the cashier is a dishonest person or the customer behind me memorizes my card number aren't I still in danger of the same things I fear using my credit card on the internet? I check my visa transactions quite frequently and make sure that they are ones that I made. I feel this is the best way to try and best avoid identity theft, by making sure the transactions being made are mine. The bank that I have my visa through will also call if there are alot of transactions taking place or expensive ones, just to make sure that I am the one making them.
Posted by: freida | Oct 7, 2004 11:34:11 AM
I just wanted to say that Thursday's class
(Oct 7th) was a good class. I enjoyed the small debates we had. I laughed throughout the class (especially at Anne-"The darker Side"). We should do more of them!
Posted by: Darla | Oct 8, 2004 10:07:44 AM
I also enjoyed class on Thursday! Group debates are alot of fun, hope we can do more of them!
Posted by: Kate | Oct 8, 2004 1:49:15 PM
A lot of people seem to be very timid about using their credit card over the web. Sure some of this is sunstantiated but the credit card companies are getting really good at detecting credit card fraud themsleves and often offer good protection from it. Not only that but they have fraud insurance up to a certain dollar amount that will actually keep you from having to pay for illegal use of your card. I've given my card number out over the internet a number of times and never had any problems. Then again maybe I'm just lucky! In the end it's all up to you whather or not you want to purchase things online. As for me it's too convenient not to!
Posted by: Travis N. | Oct 11, 2004 5:00:14 PM
I think the level of comfortability when using credit cards online depends on the reputation and reliability of the business. There are numerous privately run small online businesses out there whose security practices are very questionable. For example, there could be a small website out there selling something like anti-Bush bumper stickers and pens. Do you really know where your money is going if you buy from this place? On the other hand, and I'll include a personal example, there are sites like NFL.com, where you can buy merchandise from various teams. Since the NFL is a fairly known organization, it's pretty unlikely that they would become involved in a high profile case of credit card fraud. So even though there are potholes all over the internet, when it comes down to it, it's all about who society trusts as a legit e-business.
Posted by: Justin Doiron | Oct 12, 2004 7:34:21 AM
I'm with Blake when it comes to revealing any personal information over the internet. I've bought very little over the internet. The only time I would consider it would be through a well known corporation like Amazon.com. I would not however, buy from a personal website. You don't know who is on the other end and anything is possible. As well, I did enjoy that class debate. I find I really had more interest in paying attention in the class. That might be a sign that the class would pay more attention and become more involved in class if we could relate the topics we cover in different forms of just a lecture.
Posted by: Jeff Doherty | Nov 18, 2004 6:56:18 PM
