Digital Commerce
Learning Objectives
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1. Describe some risks that are inherently involved when using digital commerce.
2. Explain some protections consumers can implement to safeguard online accounts. 3. Contrast consumer shopping prior to and after digital commerce availability. |
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Digital Commerce Overview
Digital commerce is defined by Ribble (2015) as buying and selling goods online. Prior to online shopping if a consumer wanted to make a purchase, they needed to plan ahead to maximize gas and efficiency and had limited options. This inherently limited spending and caused a consumer to pause before making a purchase. WIth online shopping consumers have limitless possibilities for purchases that can be completed in minutes from the comfort of their home. Digital commerce allows nearly anyone to buy or sell goods online through electronic means. Consumers need to be educated on responsible commerce practices such as understanding credit limits and how over purchasing can ruin credit for life. They need to be taught digital safety best practices including protecting personal identity and credit card accounts. It is convenient to have webbots track your browsing history and make purchase suggestions, but this can lead to unwanted and unneeded purchases as well as a tendency for impulse purchases. As if this was not enough pressure to buy, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest provide unlimited suggestions on the newest trends (Ribble, 2015).
Connections to Digital Commerce
E-Commerce can transform the medical landscape in both positive and negative ways. On the positive side, consumers have more options and choice. They can shop online for the best prices for prescription drugs and cost of medical procedures. 1.4 million Americans travel overseas each year to have medical procedures done in a phenomenon called medical tourism. How did they know where to go? Online commerce. Medical tourism is expected to increase at a rate of 25% per year and generates $439 billion dollars. This is not without risk. Communication issues and differences in regulations can lead to adverse consequences. Countries advertise that procedures can be done more economically in a fee for service environment with more patient centered care. Pharmaceuticals can also be purchased online. Consumers can self-diagnose and then purchase pharmaceuticals without medical practitioner input. These practices can lead to purchasing drug products that may not be safe or as well regulated as US medical pharmaceuticals (1.4 million Americans, n.d.).
NPR Radio Broadcasts
Will Colombia's Gamble on Medical Tourism Pay Off?
Date: November 12, 2013 Length 3.38
Summary: Andrew Fishman reports on Columbia's medical tourism industry. A large medical facility was built within miles of an international airport. The medical facility specializes in six areas including organ transplants and cosmetic procedures. The reasons are usually cost and a more caring approach to medical care. Another concern is that attracting top surgeons to these medical facilities may rob native Colombians of these specialists.
Link to Podcast and transcript
Justice Dept. Charges FedEx for Online Drug Shipments
Date: July 20, 2014 Length: 3:13
Summary: FedEx was indicted by a grand jury for knowingly shipping drugs from an illegal online pharmacy. FedEx says that they hired ex DEA officials to monitor shipments and that they have no way to know which pharmacies are illegal. Keith Schoonmaker an analyst with Morningstar said that even if FedEx has to pay a fine of $1.6 billion the financial impact will be small.
Link to Podcast and transcript
References
Justice Dept. Charges FedEx For Online Drug Shipments. (2014). NPR.org. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/2014/07/20/333173673/justice-dept-charges-fedex-for-online-drug-shipments
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know. Eugene, OR: International Society for
Technology In Education.
1.4 Million Americans Will Go Abroad for Medical Care This Year. Should You? (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2016/08/17/14-Million-Americans-Will-Go-Abroad-Medical-Care-Year-Should-You
Will Colombia's Gamble On Medical Tourism Pay Off?. (2013). NPR.org. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2013/11/12/244611440/will-colombias-gamble-on-medical-tourism-pay-off
http://www.npr.org/2014/07/20/333173673/justice-dept-charges-fedex-for-online-drug-shipments
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know. Eugene, OR: International Society for
Technology In Education.
1.4 Million Americans Will Go Abroad for Medical Care This Year. Should You? (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2016/08/17/14-Million-Americans-Will-Go-Abroad-Medical-Care-Year-Should-You
Will Colombia's Gamble On Medical Tourism Pay Off?. (2013). NPR.org. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2013/11/12/244611440/will-colombias-gamble-on-medical-tourism-pay-off
