Objectives and competences
In this course, students:
1. Understand the importance of e-business in the modern digital environment and its connection to digital transformation and sustainable development.
2. Learn about the information architecture of digitalised organisations and the basic principles of technological platforms for e-business.
3. Acquire knowledge in using business information solutions, particularly ERP and CRM systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC and Odoo.
4. Understand core business processes (procurement, sales, production) and are able to execute them within information systems.
5. Are familiar with e-business models (B2B, B2C, B2G, etc.) and understand how electronic marketplaces, online stores, and EDI systems work.
6. Gain skills in planning, creating, and publishing websites, and in using digital tools to support marketing activities.
7. Understand the application of artificial intelligence in e-business, including generative tools (e.g., Copilot, ChatGPT) and personalisation techniques.
8. Recognise and evaluate security, legal, and ethical aspects of digital business, including data protection and GDPR compliance.
9. Are able to integrate web, ERP, and CRM solutions and use data to analyze and improve business performance.
10. Develop digital competencies, project and teamwork skills, and the ability to work independently and responsibly in a digital environment.
Content (Syllabus outline)
The course E-Business provides students with an understanding of modern e-business concepts within the context of the digital economy. Students explore the role of digital transformation, sustainable development, and the information architecture of digitalised organisations. Emphasis is placed on the practical use of Microsoft 365 tools (Teams, OneDrive, Planner, Forms) for digital collaboration, and on learning about business information solutions, particularly ERP and CRM systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Odoo.
Students learn to execute key business processes (procurement, sales, production) in an ERP system and become familiar with methodologies for implementing business information solutions in organisations. The course covers various electronic business models (B2B, B2C, B2G, etc.), electronic marketplaces, portals, online stores, and electronic document exchange.
Special focus is placed on web-based solutions and digital marketing information systems, where students design and build websites using tools such as Wix or WordPress and learn to integrate them with CRM/ERP systems. Modern practices include the use of artificial intelligence in e-business, from personalisation and chatbots to generative tools (e.g., Copilot, Chatgpt)—and the integration of these functionalities into business environments.
The course also addresses security and ethical aspects of e-business, such as data protection, digital identity, and legal compliance (e.g., GDPR). The final section focuses on the integration of various information solutions, the sustainability aspects of digitalisation, current trends and the future of e-business.
Detailed course content
1. Introduction to e-business and the digital economy
o The role of e-business in the modern digital environment
o Digital transformation and sustainable development
o Information architecture of digitalized organisations
o Digital identity, security, and productivity
o Use of digital tools for collaboration and task management (Microsoft 365: Teams, OneDrive, Planner, Forms)
2. Business Information Solutions (ERP and CRM)
o ERP solutions: Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC, Odoo
o CRM systems and support for customer-oriented processes
o Business processes in Microsoft Dynamics BC: procurement, sales, production
o Implementation of business information solutions using methodologies and real-world examples
3. E-business and its models
o Types of e-business models: B2B, B2C, B2G, etc.
o Electronic marketplaces, portals, online stores
o Electronic exchange of business documents (EDI)
4. Web solutions and digital marketing information systems
o Designing and building websites (Wix, WordPress, Odoo)
o Information tools for digital marketing: channels, personalisation, automation
o Integration of websites with ERP/CRM systems and analytics tools
5. Use of Artificial Intelligence in E-Business
o Types of AI and their applications
o AI in CRM, website content personalisation, and user support (e.g., chatbots)
o Generative tools (e.g., Copilot, ChatGPT) supporting business processes
o Examples of AI integrations in Odoo and Microsoft environments
6. Security and ethics in e-business
o Data protection, cybersecurity, detection of online fraud (phishing)
o Digital ethics, user trust, and management of digital identity
o Legal compliance (e.g., GDPR, eIDAS)
7. Solution integration and current trends
o Integration of ERP/CRM systems with web and marketing solutions
o Sustainability aspects of digitalisation and green IT
o Current trends in e-business, digital platforms, and technologies
Learning and teaching methods
Lectures, case analysis, discussion, programmed learning, practical exercises and assignments, project work, gamification, simulation game
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Development of knowledge and understanding:
Students:
1. Understand the importance of e-business and its impact on the digital transformation and sustainable development of organizations.
2. Explain the role of ERP and CRM business information solutions in digital operations.
3. Are familiar with the basic characteristics of e-business models and the information architecture of digitalized organizations.
4. Understand how artificial intelligence functions in the context of e-business, including the use of generative tools.
5. Explain the legal, ethical, and security requirements of modern e-business (e.g., GDPR, eIDAS).
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Cognitive/Intellectual skills:
Students:
1. Analyze business processes and know how to map them into ERP or CRM solutions.
2. Critically assess the suitability of e-business models based on the needs of a company or user.
3. Connect web and information solutions and evaluate their usefulness in digital marketing.
4. Assess the impact of AI integration into business information systems in terms of usability and ethics.
5. Develop digital strategies to improve business performance using e-tools.
Key/Transferable skills
Students:
1. Use digital tools (e.g., Microsoft 365, Teams, Planner) for collaboration in digital environments.
2. Collaborate in teams when planning and carrying out tasks in the field of e-business.
3. Develop communication and organizational skills through project-based assignments.
4. Adapt to new digital solutions and technologies through self-directed learning.
5. Are aware of the importance of ethical and sustainable use of digital technologies.
Practical skills:
Student:
1. Independently execute basic business processes within the ERP solution Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC.
2. Use Odoo solutions for managing online stores, CRM functionalities, and website content.
3. Plan, create, and publish a simple website and integrate it with selected information solutions.
4. Use Microsoft 365 tools (e.g., Teams, Planner, Forms, OneDrive) for planning, collaboration, and task submission in a digital environment.
5. Apply generative artificial intelligence tools to create content in digital contexts (e.g., templates, texts, user assistance).
6. Comply with security, legal, and ethical requirements at all stages of implementing e-business solutions.
Readings
Obvezna študijska literatura (Compulsory textbooks):
Sternad Zabukovšek, S., Bobek, S., Deželak, Z. (2021). E-poslovanje – učno gradivo. Maribor: Ekonomsko-poslovna fakulteta.
Bobek, S., Deželak, Z., Šišovska Klančnik, I., Zabukovšek, U., Sternad Zabukovšek, S. (2023). Raziskava ponudnikov poslovnih informacijskih rešitev za digitalno transformacijo podjetij. Maribor: Univerzitetna založba Univerze v Mariboru.
Microsoft Learn (e-learning platform) na https://learn.microsoft.com/.
Hubspot Academy (e-learning platform) na https://academy.hubspot.com/.
Dodatna študijska literatura (Additonal textbooks):
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Additional information on implementation and assessment Final exam 40%
Exam in computer lab 40%
Homework/project 20%
