URLs can change over time. If any of the sites used in these Internet Exercises change, please visit the Turban Electronic Commerce 2002, 2e Companion Web site at http://www.prenhall.com/turban for an update.

Chapter 18

1. Compare the following industry associations: aria.com.au (Australia), bpi.co.uk (United Kingdom), riaa.com (United States). Consider the services offered, functionality of the site, use of multimedia, search capabilities, timeliness, range, links, customization (languages), product information, EC activities, etc.
   
   
2. Research the economic viability of different types of communities. Examine ethnic communities, gender communities, third-party communities (e.g., ausfish.com), and mega communities (e.g., GeoCities).
   
   
3. One of the most globalized companies is Amazon.com. Find stories about its global strategies and activities. What are the most important lessons you learned?
   
   
4. Visit abcsmallbiz.com and find some of the EC opportunities available for small businesses. Also, visit the Web site of your local SBA (Small Business Administration) office in your area. Finally, check cnnfn.com on Saturdays and look for Applegate's column on small businesses.
   
   
5. Enter alloy.com and bolt.com and compare the sites on functionality, ease of use, message boards, home page layout, etc.
   
   
6. Identify the CSFs in the opening case.
   
   
7. Find out how Web sites such as tradecard.com facilitate the conduct of international trade over the Internet.
   
   
8. Use a currency conversion table (e.g., xe.com/ucc/) to find out the exchange rate of $100 (U.S.) with the currencies of Brazil, Canada, China, India, Sweden, and South Africa.
   
   
9. Enter the Web site of an Internet community (tripod.com, or geocities.com). Build a home page free of charge. You can add a chat room and a message board using the free tools provided.
   
   
10. Several profession-oriented communities are active on the Internet. For example, plasticsnet.com caters to plastics-related industries. Explore the site and identify the benefits to members.
    
    
11. Investigate the community services provided by Yahoo! to its members (clubs.yahoo.com). List all the services available and assess their potential commercial benefits to Yahoo!.
    
    
12. Conduct research on small businesses and their use of the Internet for EC. Visit sites such as success.com, Webcom.com, and uschamber.org.
    
    
13. Enter summerset.com. Examine the community services offered. Read Caggiano (2000) to find the CSF of this business.
    
    
14. Enter Google.com and type "small businesses and electronic commerce." Use your findings to write a report on current issues.
    
    
15. Enter internet.com and identify discussions related to the latest trends of EC.
    
    
16. Enter meetworldtrade.com and examine the services they offer, including auctions. Compare this site with alibaba.com. What are the major differences between the sites?