Why MBA Specialisation in E-Commerce is the Next Big Thing

By Dr Rohit Kushwaha

E-Commerce is making a revolutionary impact in the retail industry, offering customers the widest ever choice of products and services at the lowest rates. A customer can avail comforts as varied as car service or doctor’s appointment with a simple phone application. The buying experience is now free from the bondage of distance or time multiplying manifold the ease of access. Thus customers can shop from the comfort of their homes, a wide range of products and prices from domestic as well as global vendors. There is no time constraint, buyers can shop in the day, at night and all the year round. This new way of trading has also made niche and global products more accessible to the consumers.

Growth prospects of E-Commerce

E-Commerce today, has made inroads (horizontal e-tailing) in the sale of almost any Product and or Service available in the physical market. Its impact is growing in online education, hospitality services, travelling/ticketing, cab aggregators, alternative lending, inventory services, classified portals and hyper-locals.

Due to this rapid growth in the E-commerce space, companies are hiring E-Commerce specialists in large numbers. But still they are falling short and the requirement is huge.

The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) estimate in India is 28% in the period of 2016-20, having already reached US$ 17.5 billion in 2017. By this rate it will touch US$ 63.7 billion by 2020 overtaking the US by 2034. The Indian E-Commerce industry is expected to touch US$ 250 billion by 2020, which is 7.5% of national GDP. The proliferation of cashless transaction via mobile wallets and e-payment gateways will lift online sales to 55% by 2020 in India.

Job prospects of MBA in E-Commerce

The jobs in E-Commerce space would require skills like Big Data Analytics, Logistics Management, Digital Marketing, and Technology Management among other general management skills.

Direct employment can be sought in Data Entry, Product Development, Web-Development and Maintenance, Internet Security, Credit Card Processing and Inventory Management. Allied fields that offer opportunities include Insurance, Finance, Computer Systems Design and Technical Consulting. The starting salary package offered to E-Commerce professionals normally range between 4 - 17 lakhs.

The field of E-Commerce thrives on interdisciplinary activity that calls for multiple skills to execute tasks.  However due to the lack of interdisciplinary learning in the traditional education there is a great deficit of professionals who can directly take job roles in this sector. The extensive business prospects combined with the low availability of skilled workers makes this filed a rich ground for job opportunities.

Entry level jobs in E-Commerce

The field of E-Commerce is in a stage of change and transformation. This transitory phase allows a lot of fluidity in job duties and profiles. The E-Commerce business is all about customer experience so a basic entry level job would be in customer care, marketing, sales or branding. The field of logistics is essential to E-Commerce thus providing immense opportunity in operations and supply chain management. Some allied jobs include profiles in corporate law and HR.

Specialised jobs in e-Commerce for MBA graduates

The E-Commerce domain depends on specialized expertise in varied domains. These include marketing, product design, product development, finance management, business analysis, supply chain management and content management. Most of these fields reflect the domain knowledge of an MBA Graduate. A person desirous of specializing in these fields may pursue a relevant specialization in the MBA degree or any other related course.

Courses one can do to be eligible for E-Commerce jobs

Different areas of activity in E-Commerce depends intimately on specialized knowledge. However, a person seeking an MBA E-Commerce is best advised to have a background in engineering, finance, marketing and retail management. People with a background in humanities can also pursue this degree to develop and apply their grasp of aesthetics.

As mentioned above, E-Commerce thrives on varied knowledge domains. As such a student who aspires to a career in this field can choose a trajectory of knowledge aggregation in the appropriate fields. For example, a person who envisions a career in product development/management can opt for a graduate with a degree in Engineering or Design and then augment the knowledge with an MBA. Similarly, someone who wants to work in the design of user interfaces can study Graphic Design at the Graduate level. Another example consists in a career of Business Analyst which would be supported by a degree in Engineering and an MBA in retail etc. Similarly, a career role in content management would function well with a degree in Journalism and languages.

What does one learn in MBA E-Commerce

The MBA program in E-Commerce instructs students in the genesis, history, structure and infrastructure of this revolutionary way of conducting trade. Students learn exclusively about E-Commerce process models and electronic payment systems. The course provides emphasized instruction in telecommunications, e-system design and electronic design exchange. Some allied concepts that are studied include database marketing, financial accounting, marketing research, strategic management, advertising and sales promotion, supply chain management and logistics.

MBA Specializations in E-Commerce

A student armed with an MBA E-Commerce can specialize in a number of core and allied fields with an advanced degrees like PhD. A specialization allows students to focus on a particular area of thrust, focusing on its unique problems and seeking creative solutions for the same. As such benefits ensue from the enriched core knowhow in varied aspects of business. Thus a student may choose to pursue specialized knowledge in E-Commerce marketing, supply chain management, qualitative research, marketing strategy, e-system designing, capacity planning, forecasting and mobile security.

Who should do an MBA in E-Commerce?

This course encompasses traditional content of the MBA courses, but focuses on the interplay of internet technologies on business activity. As such this degree can be useful to a number of professionals. An example is marketing personnel who possess a knowhow on strategy but lack the grasp of the technological paradigm. It also suits entrepreneurs who want to better manage subcontractors involved in database administration or website design. The degree can also help startups to plan and envision strategies of growth and sustained business development.

The young people who are passionate about technology and innovation are best suited to pursue this exciting degree. The course will inspire them to fortify their existing skills while acting as a launch pad for explorations in interdisciplinary learning.

The field of E-Commerce is a prime example of interdisciplinary activity. Here the internet and new age technologies are transforming the traditional business and trade practices. It is quite obvious that a person aiming for success must possess skills in multiple domains of knowledge. However, our established education system provides little avenues for these ideas. Quantum University has recognised this deficit and launched interdisciplinary education to sustain the dreams of a new generation of students. Students can now avail pedagogical instruction along hands-on learning via methods and courses developed to suit subjective orientation, aptitude and goals of the individual.

About the Author:

Dr Rohit Kushwaha is Director, Quantum School of Business. The MBA e-Commerce program at Quantum School of Business offers the interdisciplinary philosophy of learning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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