Innovative EC Systems: From E-Government to E-Learning, Collaborative Commerce, and C2C Commerce

Abstract

Compass Group ( compass-group.com ) is a UK-based major provider of food and support services worldwide. The support services including security, janitorial services, building operations and maintenance, and project management. (See compass-group.com/Support-Services-wwd.htm and compass-group.com/about-us.htm .) According to their financial statement, the company’s annual revenue was £17,557 million (in 2013). (For more on the company’s financial information, see ar13.compass-group.com/assets/pdfs/Compass-AR-2013-Financial-Statements.pdf , and ar13.compass-group.com/our-business/our-regions .) Their clients include major UK corporations such as Marks & Spencer and Tesco.

Glossary

Automated question-answer (Q&A) 

System used to find answers that match questions asked in a natural language (e.g., English, Chinese).

Collaborative commerce (c-commerce) 

Electronic support for business collaboration. It enables companies to collaboratively plan, design, develop, manage, and research products, services, and innovative business processes, including EC applications.

Collaboration hub (c-hub) 

The central point of interaction and of a company’s supply chain. A single e-hub can host multiple collaboration spaces in which trading partners trade, collaborate, communicate, and share information.

Consumer-to-consumer (C2C) 

EC Electronic transactions completed between and among individuals.

Distance learning 

Education conducted from home or other place, anytime.

E-collaboration 

The use of digital technologies among people for accomplishing a common task.

E-government 

The use of information technology in general, and e-commerce in particular, to improve the delivery of government services and activities in the public sector, such as: providing citizens and organizations with more convenient access to government information and services, and to providing effective delivery of public services to engage citizens and businesses partners, as well as improving the performance of government employees.

E-learning 

The online delivery of educational materials and methods using information technologies, for the purposes of learning, teaching, training, or gaining knowledge at any time, and at many different locations.

Electronic book (e-book) 

A book in digital format that can be read on a computer screen, including mobile devices (e.g., a tablet, iPhone), or on a dedicated device known as an e-reader.

Expert/expertise location systems (ELS) 

Interactive computerized systems that help employees locate experts within their organization in order to get help in solving specific, critical business or technical problems in a short time.

Government 2.0 

The employment of social media tools, new business models, and embracing social networks and user participation, government agencies can raise the effectiveness of their online activities to meet users’ needs at a reasonable cost.

Government-to-business (G2B) 

E-government category that works both ways: government-to-business and business-to-government. Thus, G2B refers to activities where the government sells products to businesses or provides businesses with services and vice versa.

Government-to-citizens (G2C) 

E-government category that includes all the interactions between a government and its citizens that take place electronically.

Government-to employees (G2E) 

E-government category that includes activities between the government and their employees.

Government-to government (G2G) 

E-government category that includes EC activities between different units of governments, including those within one governmental body. Many of these are aimed at improving the effectiveness and the efficiency of the government operation.

Knowledge management (KM) 

The process of capturing or creating knowledge, storing it, updating it constantly, disseminating it, and using it whenever necessary.

Learning on-demand 

The trend where learners can study anywhere whenever they are ready.

Learning management system (LMS) 

Software applications for managing e-training and e-learning programs including content, scheduling, delivery tips, and so forth.

M-learning (mobile learning) 

Refers to e-learning or other forms of education using mobile devices.

Mobile government (m-government) 

The implementation of e-government applications using wireless platforms.

Social learning 

Learning, training, and knowledge sharing in social networks and/or facilitated by social software tools.

Vendor-managed inventory (VMI) 

A process in which retailers make their suppliers responsible for monitoring the inventory of each item they supply, and determining when to order each item.

Virtual university 

Online universities where students take classes from home via the Internet.