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Essay Instructions: Amazon.com?s E-Business Model

To be successful in business, Strayer graduates must not only be capable of using various technologies, they must also know how to use the Internet to exchange information with customers and vendors, research market trends, track competitors? products and pricing, and buy and sell goods and services.

Amazon.com was founded in 1994 as an online book retailer. Now, the largest retailer of books has also become the largest online retailer with a customer base of over 30 million people. Amazon competes in a vast array of markets including: books, movies, digital readers, computers, consumer electronics, pet needs, groceries, health and beauty aids, toys, clothing, jewelry, shoes, sporting goods, tools, automotive, hardware, building supply, and more. Despite their large product offering, Amazon has maintained its strong brand.

Imagine if Toys-R-Us, the largest toy retailer began selling books or if the NBA began selling hardware online. The threat of consumer confusion would rise thus bringing into question the value of the Toys-R-Us and NBA brands. Some analysts question the wisdom of Amazon.com selling products that are typically sold in the business-to-business markets. For example, you can now purchase industrial, laboratory and scientific supplies from Amazon.com.

Required:

1. Review the most current Amazon.com Annual Report at:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=97664&p=irol-reportsannual

2. Browse www.Amazon.com, www.BarnesAndNoble.com, and www.Borders.com.

3. Create a table to compare and contrast the Websites: www.Amazon.com, www.BarnesAndNoble.com, and www.Borders.com, using the following criteria: functionality, design, content, originality, professionalism and effectiveness. Include the table as an appendix to the required paper.

You are to write a four to five (4-5) page report that answers the following:

1. Discuss whether or not Amazon has lost its identity by expanding into markets well beyond books.

2. Recommend what Amazon should do to protect its brand.

3. Recommend what Barnes & Noble and Borders should do to recapture some of their online market share.

4. At one time Dell sold computers exclusively online, now the same computers are available in retail stores (Wal-Mart for example). Discuss whether or not you foresee Amazon expanding its channel of distribution to include retail locations.

Essay Instructions: : Amazon.com? Evolution

? Resources: Ch. 1 of Introduction to Information Systems
? Prepare a 250- to 500-word essay describing Amazon??s strategy in which you address the following:
o Describe how Amazon.com? uses e-business and e-commerce for B2B and B2C.
o Present areas where Amazon.com? is competing with Google? and Microsoft?, and whether competition is a wise strategy.
? .
? Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Essay Instructions: Amazon:

Identify the market type in which the selected business exists.------

? Explain how this market type affects the selected business?s ability to maximize profits.---

Essay Instructions: TOPIC: Amazon's cloud computing (AWS, EC2) solutions; paper should analyze the competitive position of Amazon's cloud computing solutions within the industry and recommend strategies that will strengthen that firm's competitive position within an international context.

Executive Summary of one to two pages, clearly summarizing the issues examined, the methodology employed, the alternative strategies evaluated, and the strategies recommended.

I. Industry Structure ? a snap shot of the competitive structure of the industry today, including its dominant global characteristics (using Porter's five-force analysis), its strategic grouping, and the mobility barriers as they affect firm strategy.

II. Evolution of the Industry (section two) ? determine how trends are likely to impact industry structure over the next 10 years or so, including its globalization and affects on its five forces and strategic map.

III. Strategy Formulation ? based expressly on the analysis, findings and conclusions from Sections I and II and on an analysis of the firm's mission/vision and core competencies and the constraints it faces, the strategies that the firm should pursue to strengthen its competitive position in the industry over the coming 3-5 years. This section should evaluate alternative strategies and arrive at a reasoned recommendation.

IV. Recommendations and Conclusions - Draw together all threads of the paper, showing how the recommended strategy(ies) fits the entire analysis.

V. List of References (consult APA Manual for form)

The paper should exemplify graduate level writing, and be professional in appearance, including professional-looking graphics where appropriate for the presentation of data and analysis. Charts and tables are especially useful in presenting and comparing data, but should be fully explained in the text and supported by research.