Electronic commerce in Namibia: Its growth, present status and potential
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Date
2004
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Wide varieties of trading methods are rapidly being replaced by the use of computers and communications networks the world over. This new concept of trading is known as Electronic Commerce (e-commerce). Great potentials exist for saving costs and improving services by utilizing this technology. Examples of phenomenal successes and staggering cost savings are just too many. Profits in millions of dollars are mentioned with ease, as a result of applying e-commerce.
It is apparent that the industry is trading a few paces ahead of the academics in the area of e-commerce. A research study on e-commerce trends in the Namibian industry was therefore found necessary. This research work is intended to make a contribution on the knowledge of e-commerce status in Namibia and help in the socio/economic development in the country, especially to the small business community. Key technological inhibitors and drivers of business-to-business and business-to-customer e-commerce have been identified and presented in this research. Electronic Commerce offers an opportunity for business development. In Namibia, we are being left behind by the developed world mainly because of lack of awareness of the existence of e-commerce and its potential advantages. Even in cases where we may be aware of its existence, the application software, which is used in this area, is expensive and not easily affordable by small businesses. Another problem is that some small businesses cannot be able to use e-commerce when they are struggling to sustain themselves economically.
The specific case presented in this thesis is that of mushroom growers in Namibia. This research develops a trading software package that is used by trading partners in the country to improve their trading practices, and thereby benefit from the advantages that e-commerce offers. Although applied to mushroom growers, however, the concept is applicable to any other group of commodity producers. The hypotheses that there exist poor knowledge and poor use of e-commerce in Namibia; that companies in Namibia can improve their efficiency and cut on costs by using e-commerce; and that the existing infrastructure in the country is good enough to support e-commerce activities have been assessed and analyzed in this work. This was accomplished by administering questionnaires, personal interviews, and developing a computerized software. The computerized system, which consists of a Web site supported by a database management software and other networking technologies, has been created and used by a number of students in a computer laboratory simulating trading among each other. The effect of this method of trading has been observed and recommendations made to extend the technology to other businesses. The research was conducted in Windhoek.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Computer Science
Keywords
Electronic commerce, Growth