Objectives of knowledge management

Mobile commerce 
(m‑commerce)
Electronic transactions 
and communications 
conducted using 
mobile devices such as 
smartphones and tablets, 
and typically with a 
wireless connection.
Mobile apps
A software application 
that is designed for use on 
a mobile phone, typically 
downloaded from an 
app store. iPhone Apps 
are best known, but all 
smartphones support 
the use of apps which 
can provide users with 
information, entertainment 
or location‑ based services 
such as mapping.
Mini case study 1.1
An example of the popularity of location‑ based mobile services is Qype (www.qype.com). Founded in 2006, 
Qype is Europe’s largest site for user‑ generated reviews and recommendations of places, events and expe‑
riences. Qype allows users to search for and read reviews about a restaurant, shop, service or experience 
and, with the Qype app, users can read and add reviews on their phone and use the application as a per‑
sonal satnav to find places nearby. Available in seven different languages, Qype is a pan‑ European local 
review site with 3 million reviews covering more than 900,000 places worldwide. In 2013 it merged with Yelp, 
a US‑based site with 102 monthly unique visitors and 39 million local reviews across the US, Europe and 
Asia Pacific. Although Facebook and Google offer similar services, it shows that there are opportunities for 
other companies that focus on this niche.
Qype and Yelp provide location‑ based review services
Part 1
Introduction
Trends update
Mobile usage
Mobile usage was forecast to overtake desktop usage in 2014. Find out the latest 
statistics on mobile and app usage at: http://bit.ly/smartmobilestats.
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Chapter 1
Introduction to digital business and e‑commerce
What is the difference between digital business and e‑commerce? 
The rapid advancement of technology and its application to business has been accompanied 
by a range of new terminology and jargon such as e-CRM, e-retail and e-procurement. Do 
we need to be concerned about the terminology? The short answer is no; Mougayer (1998) 
noted that it is understanding the services that can be offered to customers and the business 
benefits that are obtainable through digital technology that is important. However, labels are 
convenient in defining the
scope
of the changes we are looking to make within an organisa-
tion through using electronic communications. Managers within an organisation need to 
agree and communicate the digital transformation they are proposing through using digital 
technologies to employees, customers and partners.