E-Business Strategies: Pilot Course

Post-event Statement

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Background

This course is based on ADBI-produced lecture CD-ROMs.

Bhutan faces particular challenges as it strives to develop its economy and integrate into the global market. About a third of the population (32%) has an income below the national poverty line. Income inequity is among the highest in Asia, and a large number of the population relies on subsistence farming. With 50,000 youths expected to enter the labor market and another 20,000 people expected to migrate from rural to urban areas in the next few years, creating employment opportunities is critical. National development strategies must take into account the acute shortage of trained personnel and skilled workers. The short-term solution to the lack of a skilled workforce has been to rely on expatriate workers. However, the long-term goal for enhancing productivity is to develop the domestic workforce, especially new entrants into the labor market.

As information and communications technology (ICT) allows customers to access more information than in the past, customers’ demands are continually changing. Private sector management must respond with flexible, creative, and efficient business practices. In order to benefit from advances in ICT and the global economy, Bhutan must bring ICT into mainstream business, whether in the public or private sector. This course will introduce the foundations and concepts of e-business and e-commerce.

The training methods for this course will be:

• Self study with lecture CD-ROMs and course study guides;
• Online video streaming, using a learning content management system;
• Face-to-face presentation and discussions;
• Video-conferencing with resource speakers;
• Small group brainstorming and creative activities; and
• Discussion forum (online discussion board)

Staff of ADBI and IT consultants will serve as facilitators. Lecture CD-ROMs will mostly be used, instead of lectures by live resource speakers.

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Objectives

• Identify and debate issues and trends in e-business and e-commerce,
• List best practices of e-business,
• Correctly identify transaction processes of e-business,
• Identify hardware and software requirements for e-business,
• Draft a business plan with realistic strategies,
• Develop an e-store website, and
• Promote conducive environments for e-business.

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Outputs

• 25 well-trained officials and entrepreneurs in e-business.
• Realistic strategies for introducing e-business in the country
• 25 functioning e-store websites
• Course proceedings.

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Participants

Participants are government officials in charge of e-business in Bhutan. Interested persons from civil society and the private sector are also welcome.

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Language

English (Neither interpretation nor translation into local languages will be provided.)

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Responsibilities

Each participant is expected to complete the following activities:

1. Attend all the sessions of the course,
2. View all 20 lecture CD-ROMs,
3. Complete review questions provided in the study guide,
4. Actively participate in small group activities and group discussions,
5. Participate in the online discussion forum,
6. Visit a local business firm to observe how e-business is being applied,
7. Submit an e-store website,
8. Pass the course examination, and
9. Complete course evaluation.