Author Profile

Christopher Steinfield is a visionary, technology strategist, and author. With over two decades of experience bridging digital innovation and corporate strategy, his work forms the core blueprint for understanding modern digital marketplaces. Steinfield's career is defined by his ability to demystify the complex intersection of digital enterprise, emerging technology, and societal impact. He began as a lead systems analyst in the early 2000s, tracking the very first wave of online retail and global supply chain digitization. He holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and currently serves as a chaired professor at a prestigious technology institute. Throughout his writing, he emphasizes the three driving pillars that dictate online commerce: technology change, business development, and social controversies. His comprehensive texts have guided thousands of students and entrepreneurs through the ever-evolving landscapes of digital marketing, cyber security, and consumer privacy. He investigates how online marketplaces alter traditional retail supply chains. His research explores how social media platforms impact organizational communication. He analyzes the socio-economic impacts of high-speed internet adoption in rural communities. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles on e-commerce strategies and digital community networks. He has advised international government agencies on digital economy policies and broadband infrastructure deployment.

About The Book

E-Commerce: business, and technology provides an overview of the current and next generation of e-commerce. The book emphasizes the three major driving forces behind e-commerce: technology change, business development, and social controversies. Each of these driving forces is represented in every chapter, and together they provide a coherent conceptual framework for understanding e-commerce. The result is the complete treatment of a very diverse subject that is aimed specifically at readers interested in business concepts, IS/IT developments, and computer science applications.The text maps out changing financial frameworks, corporate strategies, and consumer behaviors. It breaks down various business models, such as Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B), detailing how digital marketing transforms the global marketplace. This pillar details the foundational digital architecture required for online operations. It explores internet infrastructure, cloud computing, e-commerce payment mechanisms, cybersecurity threats, and mobile app ecosystems. The author looks closely at the cultural friction points and regulations created by digital scaling. This includes deep inquiries into data privacy protection, intellectual property rights, government surveillance, and online ethical dilemmas. Each chapter integrates real-world business scenarios from tech giants and cultural trendsetters. Defining the landscape and exploring the initial history and unique features of digital transactions the text examines how the web, mobile platforms, and security protocols handle traffic and transactions. The textbook is highly regarded for its balance; it teaches code-adjacent infrastructure concepts alongside marketing and macro-economics.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. INTRODUCTION TO E-COMMERCE
Introduction
The First Thirty Seconds: Why You Should Study E-Commerce
Introduction to E-Commerce
Unique Features of E-Commerce Technology
Types of E-Commerce
E-Commerce: A Brief History
Understanding E-Commerce: Organizing Themes
Academic Disciplines Concerned With E-Commerce
2. E-COMMERCE BUSINESS MODELS AND CONCEPTS
Introduction
E-Commerce Business Models
Major Business-To-Consumer (B2C) Business Models
Major Business-To-Business (B2B) Business Models
How E-Commerce Changes Business: Strategy, Structure, and Process
3. E-COMMERCE INFRASTRUCTURE: THE INTERNET, WEB, AND MOBILE PLATFORM...................................77 Introduction
The Internet: Technology Background
The New Client: The Mobile Platform
Campus/Corporate Area Networks
The Future Internet Infrastructure
Internet Access Drones
The Web
The Internet and The Web: Features and Services
Search Engines
Downloadable and Streaming Media
Mobile Apps: The Next Big Thing Is Here
4. BUILDING AN E-COMMERCE PRESENCE: WEBSITES, MOBILE SITES, AND APPS
Introduction
What’s The Idea? (The Visioning Process)
Develop An E-Commerce Presence Map
Building An E-Commerce Presence: A Systematic Approach
Testing The System
Choosing Software
Application Servers
Choosing Hardware
Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Tools
5. E-COMMERCE SECURITY AND PAYMENT SYSTEMS
Introduction
The E-Commerce Security Environment
What Is Good E-Commerce Security?
Security Threats In The E-Commerce Environment
Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs)
Credit Card Fraud/Theft
Social Network Security Issues
Technology Solutions
6. E-COMMERCE MARKETING AND ADVERTISING CONCEPTS
Introduction
Consumers Online: The Internet Audience and Consumer Behavior
Type of Internet Connection: Broadband and Mobile Impacts
Digital Commerce Marketing and Advertising Strategies and Tools
7. SOCIAL, MOBILE, AND LOCAL MARKETING
Introduction
Introduction to Social, Mobile, and Local Marketing
Social Marketing
The Social Marketing Process
Twitter Marketing
Pinterest Marketing
Marketing on Other Social Networks
Mobile Marketing
8. ETHICAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL ISSUES IN E-COMMERCE
Introduction
Understanding Ethical, Social, and Political Issues In E-Commerce
Basic Ethical Concepts: Responsibility, Accountability, and Liability
Privacy and Information Rights
Social Networks: Privacy and Self Revelation
Consumer Privacy Regulation: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The European Data Protection Directive
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX