Although China is removing barriers to the development of electronic commerce, little systematic research has been undertaken on what strategies it should adopt from the perspective of the government. This exploratory study is founded first upon a working framework of the elements of electronic commerce by reviewing the main literature on the subject, thereby surveying the most advanced experiences and the international regime. Based on comparisons in the selected areas, bottlenecks in the development of electronic commerce in China are identified as the following: the backwardness of the IT infrastructure, a fragmentary payment system, an inadequate delivery system, and an insufficient tax and legal framework. A tentative suggestion is that a strategic alliance be formed between two existing technology and distribution trade networks. More specific suggestions for the Chinese government are to upgrade the IT infrastructure, to integrate the electronic payment system, and to enforce regulations and laws.

No description available.

by Chan Ka Ching Marina. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [52-53]). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / UST OF FIGURES --- p.v / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vi / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / General Organization of the Dissertation --- p.1 / Wave of Electronic Commerce --- p.2 / What is Electronic Commerce --- p.3 / Development of the Internet in Hong Kong --- p.3 / Electronic Commerce Opportunities in Hong Kong --- p.5 / Chapter 2. --- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY --- p.8 / Literature Review --- p.8 / Previous studies and surveys --- p.8 / Survey Questionnaires --- p.8 / Focus Group - IT consultants specialized in implementing e-commerce --- p.9 / Chapter 3. --- PURPOSE OF STUDY --- p.11 / Chapter 4. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.12 / Chapter 5. --- RESULT OF SURVEYS AND IMPLICATIONS --- p.17 / Consumers' readiness and acceptance of e-commerce --- p.17 / Demographic Characters of the Respondents --- p.19 / "Knowledge on Computer, the Internet and Electronic Commerce" --- p.20 / Current Usage of Computer and the Internet --- p.22 / Acceptance and Participation in Internet-based Commercial Activities --- p.23 / Government Support --- p.25 / Summary and Implications --- p.26 / Companies' readiness and acceptance of e-commerce --- p.30 / Company Profile of the Responding Companies --- p.31 / Current Usage of Computer --- p.31 / Current Usage of Electronic Commerce --- p.32 / Obstacles in applying Electronic Commerce --- p.32 / Summary and Implications --- p.34 / Chapter 6. --- FINDINGS FROM FOCUS GROUP --- p.36 / Past Success --- p.36 / Lack of Strategy --- p.37 / High Initial Cost --- p.37 / Chapter 7. --- ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION --- p.38 / Security and Privacy Concerns and Lack of Trust --- p.38 / Companies Strategies/Visions on using Internet Commerce --- p.41 / Interface for on-line shops --- p.43 / IT Professionals --- p.44 / IT Culture --- p.45 / High Initial Investment Cost --- p.47 / Chapter 8. --- CONCLUSION --- p.50 / REFERENCE / APPENDIX A SURVEY ON CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ON THE NTERNET / APPENDIX B SURVEY ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE OF LOCAL COMPANIES / APPENDIX C RESULTS OF SURVEY ON READINESS AND ACCEPTANCE OF CONSUMERS ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE / APPENDIX D RESULTS OF SURVEY ON READINESS AND ACCEPTANCE OF LOCAL COMPANIES ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE

by Au-Yeung Kiu-Wai, Dai Lu Yan. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 58). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS --- p.vi / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vii / CHAPTER / Chapter I --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Background --- p.1 / Definition of Mobile Commerce --- p.2 / Chapter II --- MOBILE COMMERCE MODELS --- p.3 / Chapter III --- MARKET POTENTIAL IN CHINA --- p.8 / Critical Factors in Market Development --- p.8 / Market Potential in China --- p.9 / Chapter IV --- Methodology --- p.16 / Chapter V --- Finding and Analysis --- p.18 / Descriptive Analysis --- p.18 / Correlation and Regression Test --- p.23 / Demography of Interviewees --- p.24 / Chapter VI --- Recommendations --- p.28 / Five Forces Analysis --- p.28 / Strategies for M-commerce --- p.32 / Chapter VII --- Limitation --- p.40 / Chapter VIII --- Conclusion --- p.41 / APPENDIX l-Table --- p.43 / APPENDIX 2- Questionnaire --- p.52 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.58

published_or_final_version / abstract / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

by Lai Ying Kit Andy, Tong Kwok Kei. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-80). / Questionnaire also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS --- p.vi / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vii / Chapter / Chapter 1.0 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 2.0 --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- Theoretical Framework ´ؤ A Strategic Planning Model --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- Summary of Previous Research --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Research from Hong Kong --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Research from Taiwan --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Research from Singapore --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Research from Australia --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Research from Asia-Pacific --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3 --- Limitation of Previous Studies --- p.13 / Chapter 3.0 --- OBJECTIVES --- p.14 / Chapter 4.0 --- METHODOLOGY --- p.16 / Chapter 4.1 --- Definitions --- p.16 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Electronic Commerce (EC) --- p.16 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) --- p.17 / Chapter 4.2 --- Data Collection --- p.17 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Bilingual Survey --- p.17 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Manager Interviews --- p.18 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Desk Research --- p.19 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Formal Presentation --- p.19 / Chapter 5.0 --- PROFILE OF SURVEY AND INTERVIEW RESULTS --- p.20 / Chapter 6.0 --- RESULTS AND FINDINGS --- p.23 / Chapter 6.1 --- Current usage of Computer and Electronic Commerce Capability --- p.23 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- Computer Terminals --- p.23 / Chapter 6.1.2 --- MIS/IT Department --- p.24 / Chapter 6.1.3 --- Outsourced IT Functions --- p.26 / Chapter 6.1.4 --- Internet and E-mail --- p.27 / Chapter 6.1.5 --- Electronic Business Functions --- p.28 / Chapter 6.2 --- Perceived Benefits of Electronic Commerce --- p.35 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Improve Information Exchange with Customers --- p.36 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Reduce Cost of Maintaining Company Information --- p.37 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- International Market Exposure --- p.37 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Improve Customer Service and Enhance Customer Loyalty & Retention --- p.38 / Chapter 6.2.5 --- Improve Information Exchange with Suppliers --- p.38 / Chapter 6.2.6 --- Reduce Costs through Web Based Purchasing and Procurement --- p.39 / Chapter 6.3 --- Obstacles in Applying Electronic Commerce --- p.39 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Electronic Payment & Data Confidentiality --- p.41 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Quality Assurance and Proprietary Requirement --- p.42 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Human and Capital Resources --- p.43 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Reluctance for Change and Lack of Drivers and Initiatives --- p.44 / Chapter 7.0 --- E-STRATEGY FRAMEWORK --- p.46 / Chapter 7.1 --- Step 1: Setting the Goal --- p.47 / Chapter 7.2 --- Step 2: External Analysis --- p.47 / Chapter 7.3 --- Step 3: Internal Analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 7.4 --- Step 4: Selecting e-Strategies --- p.54 / Chapter 7.5 --- Step 5: Identifying e-Competitive Advantages --- p.56 / Chapter 7.6 --- Step 6: Selecting e-Functional Areas --- p.56 / Chapter 8.0 --- CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION --- p.58 / APPENDICES / Chapter I. --- Original Questionnaire in English & Chinese Versions --- p.61 / Chapter II. --- Letter of Gratitude --- p.77 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.79

by Yau Mun-Yee. / Includes questionnaire. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-53). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vi / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Research Objective --- p.2 / Organization --- p.3 / Chapter II. --- ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI) --- p.5 / Definition --- p.5 / History --- p.5 / Classification --- p.7 / Chapter III. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.9 / Chapter IV. --- RESEARCH METHOLOGY --- p.13 / Research Hypotheses --- p.13 / Measurement of EDI Usage --- p.15 / Choice of Trading Partner --- p.17 / Methodology --- p.19 / Chapter V. --- DATA ANALYSIS --- p.21 / Testing of First Hypothesis HI --- p.23 / Testing of Second Hypothesis H2 --- p.27 / Testing of Third Hypothesis H3 --- p.30 / Chapter VI. --- INTERVIEW STUDY --- p.37 / EDI Implementation Strategy of the Company --- p.37 / EDI Connection Strategy of the Company --- p.41 / Chapter VII. --- CONCLUSION --- p.45 / Summary --- p.45 / Limitation of this Research --- p.46 / Suggestion for Future Research --- p.47 / Managerial Implication --- p.47 / APPENDIX A Covering Letter --- p.50 / APPENDIX B Research Questionnaire --- p.51 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.52

published_or_final_version / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning

published_or_final_version / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning

This study sheds light on the role of social networks in entrepreneurship in the e- commerce sector in contemporary China. It examines the usefulness of network ties for entrepreneurship, specifically the capacity of network ties to provide information, advice, resources and emotional support during the creation and growth stages of small and medium-sized e-commerce businesses. Using data from semi-structured interviews with 30 private entrepreneurs in Anhui province in China, I first identified the roles played by family, friendship, business and political ties in e-commerce entrepreneurship, as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages. I then examined the changes in the roles of different network ties in e-commerce entrepreneurship as businesses move from the firm creation stage to the firm growth stage. Following this, I compared online and offline social networks to understand the similarities and differences in their respective effects on e-commerce entrepreneurship. My study presents three main research findings. The first research finding is about the role of strong ties in entrepreneurship. Specifically, I found that strong ties, such as family and friendship ties, are especially important for Chinese entrepreneurs to acquire scarce resources, especially financial and human resources, and for providing emotional support to cope with the highs and lows of running a business. However, there are also disadvantages brought by these strong network ties, including 'over- embeddedness' and conflict with family members and between friends. In addition, although strong ties are important for entrepreneurs to acquire scarce resources during the firm creation stage, its role might diminish as the firm grows. The second research finding is about the role of weak ties in entrepreneurship. In contrast with strong ties, weak ties, such as online business ties, are quite important for e-businesses to connect with a diverse range of people to get a diverse range of resources, advice and information, and emotional support. With the help of the Internet, entrepreneurs can easily develop these weak ties. Last but not least, the third research finding is about the role of political ties. To be specific, under the marketization trend in the e- commerce sector, the role of political ties in entrepreneurship is decreasing. Political ties are not necessary during the firm creation stage, but they might become useful in solving problems that arise in the growth stage, such as tax issues. There are three contributions of the study on the relationship between social networks and entrepreneurship. Firstly, the role of strong ties is found to have advantages and limitations in providing resources, advice and information and emotional support in entrepreneurship in the e-commerce sector, like in other sectors studied by previous research. Secondly, weak ties play an important role in connecting with a diverse number of acquaintances in providing them, especially as firms grow. In e-commerce sector, the Internet helps entrepreneurs to develop these weak ties. Last but not least, the macro-social conditions in an economy and in a specific sector should be considered when studying the role of network ties in entrepreneurship.