Definition of E-Commerce:
There is no definition that can be said to be an internationally agreed upon definition of e-commerce, but those concerned in this regard have worked hard to include many definitions in the literature on the subject of e-commerce, trying to reach a comprehensive and general definition based on serving customers in e-commerce, including:
A modern approach to business directed at goods and services and speed of performance, and includes the use of the communications network in searching and retrieving information in order to support the decision-making of individuals and organizations.
A combination of technology and services in order to accelerate the performance of commercial exchange and create a mechanism for exchanging information within a business enterprise and between business enterprises, and between business enterprises and customers, i.e. buying and selling operations.
Production, promotion, sale, and distribution of products through a communications network
Exchange operations using the electronic data interchange system, e-mail, electronic newsletters, fax, and money transfer via electronic media as well as all similar electronic media.
A technological infrastructure aimed at compressing the media chain in response to market demands and timely business performance
A type of business exchange in which the parties interact in an electronic manner or means instead of using other physical media, including direct communication.
A form of commercial exchange through the use of a communications network between business institutions with each other, business institutions and their customers, or between business institutions and public administration.
Using information technology to create effective links between business organizations in business operations
A type of buying and selling process between producers and consumers, or between business institutions and each other through the use of information and communications technology
Performing the business process between business partners using advanced information technology in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of performance
Comprehensive definition
We can conclude with a definition that combines the above-mentioned definitions as follows: E-commerce is “the implementation of everything related to the buying and selling of goods, services, and information using the Internet, in addition to other global commercial networks,” and this includes:
- Distribution and delivery of goods and follow-up procedures
- Payment of financial obligations
- Concluding contracts and making deals
- Negotiation and interaction between buyer and seller
- Customer relationships that support sales, purchases and after-sales services
- Information about goods, goods and services
- Advertising goods, merchandise and services
- Technical support for goods purchased by customers
- Electronic data exchange including:
- Banking transactions
- Electronic invoices
- Inquiry about goods
- Price catalogs
- Automated correspondence related to buying and selling transactions.
Her Specialties:
E-commerce intersects with many disciplines such as accounting, business law, computer science, consumer behavior, economics, engineering, finance, human resource management, information systems management, marketing, robotics and statistical science.
Terminology in E-Commerce:
E-business:
The broader definition of e-commerce includes customer service, cooperation with business partners, and conducting electronic transactions within an organization as well as the process of exchanging, selling, or buying products, services, and information.
E-marketplace:
It is a market where sellers and buyers meet to exchange goods, services, money and information via the Internet.
Intranet:
A local network within a company or government that uses Internet tools such as browsers and Internet Protocol.
Extra Net:
It is a network that uses the Internet to connect a group of internal networks.
Social Computing:
It is a computerized system that includes social interactions and behaviors using a set of tools such as blogs, wikis, social networks, and others. It focuses on improving collaboration and interaction between people. As for its role in e-commerce, it allows people to work together, communicate with experts, and learn about products recommended by their friends.
Social Networks:
A category of Internet applications that help friends, business partners, or individuals with common interests communicate by providing free services such as photo viewing, e-mail, and blogging.
Social Commerce:
It is e-commerce activities that take place through social networks or social programs such as: web applications 2.
Virtual Reality:
Three-dimensional computer simulation. Users of the virtual world have what is called a virtual character, “Avatar.” Through these virtual characters, the user can interact with the virtual environment, such as building or sharing places, cars, and many other items. The most famous example of a virtual world is SECOND LIFE.
Trade Classifications:
The nature of the business process:
- Traditional trade:
The process of exchanging goods, services, or information and communicating them in a tangible form.- E-Commerce:
The process of exchanging goods, services, or information and delivering them electronically.- Partial e-commerce:
A combination of traditional commerce and e-commerce, where part of the commercial process is electronic and the other part is tangible.Commercial Relationship Between Subscribers:
- From company to company
It represents the trade exchange that exists between one company and another, such as a manufacturing company that buys raw materials from another company. For example, a company that manufactures cleaning supplies needs chemicals to manufacture its products. These chemicals are produced by another company, so you buy them from them.
- From business to consumer
It represents the commercial exchange that exists between companies on the one hand and individual consumers on the other hand, such as Dell, which sells the products it manufactures directly to the consumer without the presence of an intermediary. Such as the commercial exchange process between Dell and the customer directly.
- Business to business to consumer
It consists of trade exchange from one company to another company and then to individual consumers. You sell the chocolate to another company and the company then sells the chocolate to its employees. Godiva, for example, is another example of an electrical appliance manufacturing company that sells appliances to retailers, and then the retailers sell them directly to consumers.
- From consumer to business
It represents the trade exchange between individual consumers and companies. For example, a woman sells her handicrafts to a company that cares about heritage.
- From department to department within the company
It represents all the internal activities and information of the company that involve the exchange of goods, services or information between various departments and individuals within the company. Like Samsung, it contains several different units, each unit manufacturing a specific technology and selling it to another unit within the company.
- From the company to its employees (B2E)
It is the company's provision of goods, services or information to its individual employees. Such as a company selling a specific product or service to its employees at a special price, and the return from the profits is shown in the company’s account.
- Consumer to Consumer (C2C)
It involves direct trade from consumer to consumer. Such as a commercial exchange between a person who owns a musical instrument and wants to sell it and another person who wants to buy it.
- Cooperative Commerce (C-Commerce)
It represents people or groups that communicate or collaborate electronically. Such as two or more companies collaborating electronically to design and produce a specific product.
- From the government to its citizens or to companies (E-Government)
Government units purchase or provide products, services or information from or to their individual citizens or companies. Such as submitting a grant application to the Ministry of Education via the Ministry’s website.
