chapter one
LEARNING OUTCOMES By the end of Unit 1, you should be able to: 1. Describe the concept of strategic planning for a business organization; 2. Explain how and why computer networking forms a crucial part of the strategic plan for a typical business organization today; 3. Identify three specific industries where electronic commerce (EC) technology shows maximum potential; and 4. For a given industry, describe one application of EC that might play a powerful role in re-shaping that industry. INTRODUCTION The aims of this first unit are twofold. First, it aims to provide you with an introduction to networking and electronic commerce (EC). Second, it aims to remind you of the importance of strategic planning in the contemporary business world and explain the interrelationships of business, information system (IS), and information technology (IT) strategies. The first part contains a brief introduction to computer networks and electronic commerce (EC). In the second part you will learn why ne