Search results

Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some legal aspects concerning MNEs, cyberspace and e‐commerce as the means of expression of the digital economy. The whole effort of the author is focused on the examination of various aspects of MNEs and their impact upon globalisation and vice versa and how and if we are moving towards a global digital economy.

Within a larger mandate of reviewing the key global trends concerning consumer protection in the electronic commerce (e-commerce) literature, this study aims to study the legal framework concerning e-commerce and consumer protection in the Sultanate of Oman and to analyse the current regulations concerning e-commerce and consumer protection.

This study followed the normative legal research approach and resorted to the desk research process to facilitate content analysis of literature containing consumer protection legislation and regulatory provisions in Oman in particular and the rest of the world in general.

The study reveals that consumer protection initiatives in Oman are well entrenched for offline transactions, but are relatively new and limited for e-commerce. In spite of the promulgation of consumer protection laws, electronic transaction law and cybercrime law, consumer protection measures for e-commerce in Oman do not address a large number of the global concerns necessary to build consumer confidence and trust in the online environment.

There is a dearth of information concerning Oman on this topic in the extant literature. The research also witnessed the lack of empirical data on the issue of consumer protection and e-commerce in Oman that offer a detailed database of consumer complaints and associated outcomes.

The mechanism of consumer protection in electronic transactions is not robust in many countries. Because of the lack of comprehensive and robust legislation, consumers remain vulnerable in the online contractual purchase process. Moving beyond the fragmented legislation, many countries are currently mulling an all-comprehensive e-commerce law, implications of this paper will help the policymakers in identifying the focus areas.

Consumer protection is a burning global issue in this era of consumerism. It is important to build consumer trust, transparency and integrity of transactions to reduce the risk and uncertainties of purchase.

Consumer protection studies conducted in the context of Oman, hitherto, deal more with data protection and dispute resolution mechanisms, and less with legal provisions, regulations and consumer confidence. The study shares newer insights based on a systematic review of legal and business databases. It is the first study of its kind in the context of Oman and the Middle East in general.

Although electronic commerce (e‐commerce) can be a source of competitive advantage, will e‐commerce businesses in countries like China flourish when governments still take a “wait‐and‐see attitude” as to prompting, protecting, and regulating e‐commerce? The paper employs transaction cost economics in analyzing the role of government in regulating electronic contracting. Due to the transaction costs arising from e‐commerce, explicit contracts between parties are usually incomplete. The paper argues that these contracts should always be backed by implicit contracts, which are determined by default rules in various governments. Therefore, it behoves governments urgently to fill gaps in incomplete contracts in e‐commerce in order to foster a predictable legal environment for e‐businesses, minimize legal risks and transaction costs, and maximize economic and social benefits. The authors believe that governments must also act in concert with one another at the international level to create a favorable and consistent commercial environment.

With the advent of Internet technology and its rapid growth during the last few years, electronic commerce has become an increasing reality. While e‐commerce still constitutes a small part of many countries’ economies, it is seen by many as an opportunity to reduce cost and improve productivity. This is true, as many economies are transferring themselves into knowledge‐based economies, where information and innovation are the competitive instruments. Singapore as a small country with limited natural resources realized the importance of the new economy and the need to position itself as an information and knowledge hub in Asia. The government has taken an active role in the establishment of an e‐commerce infrastructure. The government’s vision is to build a premier service hub in the region with global orientation, and focusing on new high growth hub services. This paper reviews the development of e‐commerce in Singapore and studies its impact on the development of the information society in Singapore.

A number of recent studies have suggested that many small businesses are opting to become members of strategic alliances with other firms in order to minimise the perceived barriers to adoption of electronic commerce (E‐commerce). This study compares the perception of barriers to E‐commerce adoption between a sample of Swedish small to medium enterprises (SMEs) that have become members of some form of strategic alliance and those that have remained outside such arrangements. The results show that, in general, SMEs that are part of a strategic alliance perceive barriers as less applicable than their counterparts that are not part of a strategic alliance.

Presents an updated version of a paper given by the author at an international conference in Athens 2000. Briefly outlines the development of the internet and e‐commerce and the effect of globalization. Considers the potential for the EU to standardize rules and advance its economic integration agenda. Looks at present EU laws in this area. Covers the unicitral model law on electronic commerce, its merits and its problems. Discusses personal jurisdiction under traditional rules and cyberspace transactions. Concludes that existing legislation must be re‐evaluated in the light of technological advances, the need for a more mobile kind of legal person and the worldwide nature of transactions across territorial boundaries, paperless contracts and digital signatures and the use of self‐regulation are also covered.

The use of e‐commerce and the Internet is increasing in acceptance for a wide range of businesses from large enterprises to small and micro businesses. While the literature on e‐business and e‐commerce is evolving, there is limited substantive research focused on the theory and practice of e‐business systems amongst small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper provides an insight into thirty‐four SMEs actively utilising e‐commerce. The paper also provides a theoretical contribution by developing a conceptual model of e‐commerce utilisation for SMEs within the Australian context, which depicts the relationship between the use of e‐commerce by SMEs, the degree of business transformation and the strategic significance of e‐commerce. Keywords: Case Study, Small Business, Electronic Commerce, Business Transformation

The purpose of this paper is to explore a central issue in industrial marketing, namely the buyer‐seller relationship, by focusing on how its development influences and is influenced by the use of B2B e‐commerce strategies. More specifically, the paper aims at identifying what kinds of B2B electronic interactions are imposed by influential buyers; exploring the link between these electronic interactions and the buyer‐seller relationship; and seeing how influential buyers and SME suppliers adapt their own strategies in this online environment.

The multi‐case study methodology was used to allow for rich data collection and analysis and to support the discovery of patterns.

The results indicate that large buyers use specific e‐commerce processes and tools for the different relationships they have with their SME suppliers. The latter must adapt to these requirements to attain the next relationship level or risk forfeiting their established position. When a supplier reaches the new level, other requirements arise, forcing it to continuously adapt its e‐commerce strategy.

The model proposed in this paper can serve as a tool to align B2B e‐commerce strategies and buyer‐seller relationship levels.

Some SME suppliers have developed a competitive advantage by going through this cycle faster than their competitors. The following relationship stages were observed: pre‐relationship, spot relationship and contractual relationship. Interestingly, there was no collaboration stage in the relationships studied.

The paper contributes to an understanding of the link between electronic interactions and the buyer‐seller relationship. Its information is particularly relevant to organizations that transact or plan on transacting electronically with clients or suppliers in a B2B setting.

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the Indian IT Act 2000 and IT (Amendment) Act 2008 in the light of e‐commerce perspective to identify the present status of e‐commerce laws in India.

The paper presents a critical reflection on the current e‐commerce laws in India. The paper is based on the Indian IT Act 2000 and IT (Amendment) Act 2008. The paper presents critical content analysis of various provisions of IT Act in e‐commerce prespective. The paper also highlights legal issues arising from e‐commerce.

There are many important issues which are critical for the success of e‐commerce that have not been covered or properly addressed by IT Act. The paper reveals that the present IT Act is weak on various fronts and in the absence of sound legal framework e‐commerce cannot create a success story in India. Indian Government must appreciate that for safe and secure business environment on cyberspace, a sound legal framework is needed. This paper suggests that there is strong need to introduce separate laws for e‐commerce in India.

The paper identified various loopholes/problems/weakness of existing e‐commerce laws in India. These issues should be addressed by Goverment of India to protect the interests of Indian software industries, BPO sector and other stakeholders.

The issue identified in the paper is somewhat new, timely and interesting, taking into consideration its importance to economic development in emerging economies such as India.

In the last two decades application of E‐commerce is evolving from technology driven to more user driven. Thus E‐commerce has become synonymous with communication, strategy and business practices. E‐commerce aids to exchange information and execute transactions among enterprises and individuals. It facilitates electronic adaptation of communication for business process via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). More often R&D intensive industries like the pharmaceutical industry implements innovative technologies to gain competitive advantage in the market. E‐commerce provides the pharmaceutical industry with better mode of transaction to achieve competitive advantage and sustained growth. E‐commerce has a considerable impact on the business‐to‐business application, when a diverse group of enterprises become involved in the decision making process particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. This enhances the value of the industry through key underlying processes such as, high value drug innovation, clinical development and trial, project and people management, marketing and sales. This synchronisation of E‐commerce and corporate strategy creates significant value for this industry. The achievement of real value through Ecommerce has three major impacts. First, it enhances the value of the latest clinical developments; second, it increases shareholders’ value and third, it successfully reduces the time‐cycle of research and application. These achievements add substantial value to the industry. Therefore, this article reviews the application of E‐commerce and discusses its significance in the pharmaceutical industry. The theoretical discussion used in previous studies is also presented and four major aspects are highlighted explaining the success of E‐commerce in the pharmaceutical industry.