Embracing the Internet Age

New CSS Concentration in e-Commerce Management

Last spring CSS E-407, Doing Business in the Internet Economy, attracted so much interest that it had a waitlist of 30 students on the first day of classes. CSS E-103a, Designing Effective Websites: A Marketing Perspective, nearly surpassed its enrollment limit of 60. The popularity of these courses was an indication of the increasing demand for e-commerce courses that would need to be accommodated in the coming semesters. Dean Raymond Comeau, director of the Certificate of Special Studies in Administration and Management (CSS) Program, noticed this trend and set out to help the CSS Program "embrace the internet age."

To develop a more comprehensive e-commerce curriculum, CSS faculty met with internet professionals in several planning sessions. These sessions led to the development of this year's 12 e-commerce management courses. A concentration in e-commerce management was also made available to CSS candidates beginning this academic year. Comeau notes that these courses cover a wide range of management issues including idea development, securing financing, website creation and design, cyberlaw, and devising a global strategy.

"Having tools in e-commerce management will give me a strong competitive advantage in the workplace," said Mario Romero, a CSS candidate from Mexico. Borja Rodriguez, agrees: "In my native Spain, internet businesses are still rare. When I return I will be one of the first to know about this critical new way of doing business."

Some may think recent NASDAQ fluctuations will lessen the demand for e-commerce management courses. But this is not necessarily the case. According to Mary Lou Roberts, professor of marketing at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and instructor of two CSS e-commerce courses, these adjustments are part of a Darwinian business process. She believes "the business-to-business e-commerce market will be totally connected, paperless, and global . . . and companies willing to make this transformation will survive." As the technology develops and companies change, the demand for inexpensive and accessible training in e-commerce management should increase, making the CSS courses a vital training resource for businesses everywhere.

Dean Raymond Comeau (left) with Borja Rodriguez (center) and Mario Romero, CSS concentrators in e-commerce management.

CSS e-commerce courses are open to interested students with bachelor's degrees, including certificate candidates and professionals looking for a single course to hone their skills.

For more information about e-commerce management courses, see the Extension School catalogue or visit the Extension School website.

e-Commerce Management Courses

• CSS E-102 Global Strategy in an Internet Environment
• CSS E-103a Designing Effective Websites: A Marketing Perspective
• CSS E-105e Internet Marketing Strategies
• CSS E-115 Entrepreneurship in the Internet Age
• CSS E-115a Starting e-Ventures
• CSS E-122 Organization Design and Management in the Internet Economy
• CSS E-130a Emerging e-Commerce Law and Policy
• CSS E-137 Managing the High Technology Firm
• CSS E-340 Financing the Growing Venture in the Internet Economy
• CSS E-407 Doing Business in the Internet Economy
• CSS E-410 Developing e-Commerce Models
• CSS E-540 Electronic Communication as a Management Tool