SMSU offers new e-commerce focus

With the growing popularity of doing business via the Internet and other electronic means comes the need to learn how to best go about it. Southwest Missouri State University has joined the ranks of schools around the country that offer courses in e-business. Now SMSU undergraduate students can select an e-business minor and master's degree candidates can add an e-business concentration.

The committee that formed the e-business program, called it e-business rather than e-commerce. E-business is a broader term, said Denny McCorkle, PhD, director of the program and professor of marketing at SMSU. He said that e-commerce deals with using the Internet to sell products. E-business covers all business conducted via the Internet such as personnel and recruitment uses.

The new e-business option "will make the student more marketable," McCorkle said. "It adds depth to their expertise and knowledge."

Jim Pettijohn, PhD, professor of finance and general business at SMSU, echoed McCorkle's thoughts. He said he sees the program providing students with an edge for their careers.

Pettijohn teaches the first course in the program, "E-commerce (to be changed to e-business): Principles and Practices." Originally, the course was to have a 35-student limit, but he has about 38 enrolled.

"It's one of the most fun things I've taught. I don't think anyone can write a traditional textbook on e-business because things are changing so rapidly. I have to go out on the Internet and figure out what's happening, and then talk to the students about it," said Dr. Pettijohn.

The 12-hour concentration in e-business takes in the overview course, "Supply Chain Management Seminar," "E-marketing," and "E-business Technology Concepts."

The e-business minor is made up of five courses. Besides the overview course, the minor includes: "E-marketing," "Supply Chain Management," "E-business Technology Concepts" and "Research Issues and Problems."

"Research Issues and Problems" is an independent study in which students put their knowledge to practical use by building a Web site. They may intern with a local company.

"We would welcome business- people who are working in Internet business and who would like to provide internships or be guest speakers. Any kind of support from the business community would be great," McCorkle said.

So far the new e-commerce option is going over well. "The general results around other schools that have started programs is that they have as many students on a waiting list as they have in the program. The students see this as a pretty hot subject," McCorkle said.

Jennifer Givens, a student in Pettijohn's class already has a marketing degree, but she returned to college to take the class. Effectively, she is adding a minor now since she didn't declare one when she obtained her bachelor of science degree.

"I recently started a computer consulting business with my husband, Charles. This is the perfect opportunity to get in there and learn about e-business and how much it's changing our world," said Givens, co-owner of Solutions@OnceSM. In her business, she has had a number of contacts from people who want to get into e-business, and she said she feels taking the course will help her meet clients' needs.

"I think the new e-business minor is wonderful. I haven't sat in the classroom in 12 years. I was thrilled to see the amount of technology used in the classroom," Givens said.

"The program is designed to help students be better prepared for the business world which is using the Internet in ways we haven't even defined yet. New uses and practices of the Internet and businesses are coming up every day in all areas of business. I think this gets them started and helps them to think strategically," McCorkle said.

In the future, McCorkle said he hopes SMSU can offer e-business courses to the local business community.

"As of now, because of resources and just getting started, it's pretty much limited to those already in or just starting a business degree program," McCorkle said.

According to Pettijohn, the overview course has been offered for the past three years. This year, it counts as credit for the minor program.