E-Commerce Times Talkback

Re: Study: Surging Demand for Globalizing, Localizing E-Commerce
Posted by: ECT News 2001-07-25 17:55:42

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Although the globalization and localization (G&L) services industry has just begun making
inroads with some e-commerce firms, it is already transforming the e-business economy
worldwide, according to a report released Wednesday by IDC.

According to the research firm's survey of 20 G&L leaders, these vendors forecast their
service revenues will double approximately every 2.6 years. Following 23 percent growth in
2000, the companies project their service revenues will spike 39 percent to US$853 million
this year and mushroom to $1.7 billion by 2004.

Re: Study: Surging Demand for Globalizing, Localizing E-Commerce
Posted by: Carsten Amtrup 2001-07-26 03:17:28 In reply to: ECT News

I do not understand why it is important to have a physical local presence! Look at how all major US IT companies handle their European customer service, it is in local language but centralized. It is a mistake if e-commerce companies start spreading themselves widelly, as the costs for inventory and overhead would be much higher than needed. The sites should maybe have a few options to choose language, but the operations should clearly be handled from one or a few major centres. The major problem in global e-commerce is that no sites inform the international customers of the full price (incl local duties and taxes), and as long as e-commerce businesses do not treat their international customers better, they can not expect the same success as domestically!

Carsten Amtrup
COO
Doit Global A/S

Re: Study: Surging Demand for Globalizing, Localizing E-Commerce
Posted by: FrankLeibold 2001-07-25 22:11:53 In reply to: ECT News

E-Commerce and globalization are synonomous. The Web, however, presents a paradox: localize for personalization and globalize for network effeciencies of scale. Unfortunately, eKnowledge is becoming concentrated, with AOL's first steps towards acquiring Amazon.com indicative of increased concentration.

The lack of B2B tansferrance of the learning curve to C2C is a casualty. So are only 750,000 U.S. small businesses selling online out of 15 million in the United States [5%]. eKnowledge is fragmented and dispersed except for the dominant players. Microsoft in concert with News Corp and the Liberty Group are in the process of acquiring DirectTV as they battle AOL for "access" to the world's homes. Therefore, a need has been created for an accessable vechicle for transfer of eCommerce technology and knowledge.

Sincerely,

Frank B. Leibold
Professor Business Administration
Averett University