Assessment of the commercial applicability of artifical intelligence in electronic Businesses

Diploma Thesis , 2002 , 73 Pages , Grade: 1.3

Business economics - Operations Research

The purpose of this thesis is to analyse, assess and evaluate the potential of commercial applica-tions of artificial intelligence in electronic businesses. Therefore the main research question of this paper is whether artificial intelligence is reasonably applicable in Internet-related busi-nesses, first in terms of effectiveness and second in terms of efficiency. In the assessment the application of artificial intelligence in electronic businesses is represented by the employment of intelligent agents. In harmony with the major research question emphasized above, the paper provides a thorough discussion about the economic impact of the most common and relevant application types of intelligent agents on electronic commerce environments. In addition the driving underlying technologies of intelligent agents are analysed with respect to artificial intelligence techniques and methods, and current standardisation efforts.
The assessment itself constitutes of theoretical and practical instruments that measure the com-mercial applicability of artificial intelligence in electronic businesses. First, the effectiveness of employing intelligent agents will be measured with a cost-benefit analysis to prove whether it is the right thing to do for an electronic business. Second, the efficiency of such an application will be assessed with a detailed SWOT-Analysis in order to determine whether employed agents do their job right. Finally, the results from a range of expert interviews with dominating devel-opers in the field of intelligent systems technology will be integrated into the assessment. Expert interviews as a research method seem to be appropriate for this assessment as they investigate the phenomenon within its real-life context. Furthermore they extend experience or add strength to what is already known through previous research. In a final summary and evaluation the answer to the given research question is provided. By the end of the thesis, the reader should have gained a strong comprehension of the linkages between electronic commerce and intelligent agents and should understand the resulting implications of the technology’s application on electronic businesses.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Introduction
• 1 Problem Statement
• 1.1 Scope of the thesis
• 1.2 Course of the investigation
• 2 Intelligent Electronic Business
• 2.1 The need for intelligent system technologies
• 2.2 Mediators in traditional and electronic markets
• 2.3 Consumer and buyer behaviour in electronic commerce
• 3 Artificial Intelligence in Electronic Commerce
• 3.1 Artificial Intelligence
• 3.1.1 Theories of human intelligence
• 3.1.2 The 'Artificial' Intelligence
• 3.1.3 Intelligence in computers
• 3.2 Intelligent Agents: Embedding Artificial Intelligence in e-businesses
• 3.2.1 Intelligent Agents
• 3.2.2 The agents' intelligence
• 3.2.3 A taxonomy for intelligent agents
• 3.2.4 Agent interactivity according to the Consumer Buyer Behaviour stages
• 3.2.5 Mediating agents in the electronic business scenarios
• 4 Technology and Business Application Analysis
• 4.1 Business Application Areas in Electronic Commerce
• 4.1.1 Individualization through Recommendation
• 4.1.2 Intelligent Partnering
• 4.1.3 Online Bargaining
• 4.1.4 Ontology-based product content management
• 4.1.5 Intelligent Customer Relationship Management
• 4.2 Current state of Intelligent Agent Technology
• 4.2.1 The technologies employed by Intelligent Agents
• 4.2.2 Agent communication and protocol standards
• 5 Assessing the commercial applicability of Intelligent Agents
• 5.1 Cost-Benefit-Analysis for Intelligent Agents
• 5.1.1 Cost analysis: A quantitative and qualitative approach
• 5.1.2 Benefit analysis: The Return on Intelligence
• 5.1.3 A discussion of social, ethical and legal issues and dilemmas
• 5.2 SWOT-Analysis for Intelligent Agents in electronic businesses
• 5.2.1 Strengths
• 5.2.2 Weaknesses
• 5.2.3 Opportunities
• 5.2.4 Threats
• 5.3 Real-world practices of Intelligent Agents: Expert interviews
• 6 Conclusion
• 6.1 Summary
• 6.2 Evaluation
• 6.3 Outlook
• Appendixes
• Appendix A: Interview Guideline
• Appendix B: Interview summary (living systems AG)
• Appendix C: Interview summary (novomind AG)
• Appendix D: Interview summary (Ubis AG)
• References
• List of tables
• Table of figures
• Table of abbreviations

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This diploma thesis aims to assess the commercial applicability of artificial intelligence, specifically intelligent agents, in electronic businesses. It explores the potential benefits and challenges of integrating intelligent agents into various e-commerce scenarios, analyzing their impact on business processes, customer interactions, and overall market dynamics.

• The role of intelligent agents in electronic commerce
• The impact of intelligent agents on consumer behavior and business processes
• The technological advancements and challenges associated with intelligent agents
• The cost-benefit analysis of implementing intelligent agents in e-businesses
• The ethical and legal implications of using intelligent agents in electronic commerce

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The introduction provides a comprehensive overview of the thesis, outlining the problem statement, scope, and course of investigation. It establishes the context for the research and highlights the significance of exploring the commercial applicability of artificial intelligence in electronic businesses.

Chapter 2 delves into the concept of intelligent electronic business, examining the need for intelligent system technologies in the context of e-commerce. It analyzes the role of mediators in traditional and electronic markets, highlighting the evolving dynamics of consumer and buyer behavior in the digital realm.

Chapter 3 focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in electronic commerce, specifically exploring the concept of intelligent agents. It provides a detailed overview of artificial intelligence, including its theoretical foundations, practical implementations, and the development of intelligent agents. The chapter also examines the various types of intelligent agents, their functionalities, and their potential applications in different e-commerce scenarios.

Chapter 4 delves into the technological and business application analysis of intelligent agents. It explores various business application areas in electronic commerce, including individualization through recommendation, intelligent partnering, online bargaining, ontology-based product content management, and intelligent customer relationship management. The chapter also examines the current state of intelligent agent technology, including the technologies employed by intelligent agents and the relevant communication and protocol standards.

Chapter 5 assesses the commercial applicability of intelligent agents in electronic businesses. It conducts a cost-benefit analysis, considering both quantitative and qualitative aspects of cost and benefit. The chapter also explores the return on intelligence, examining the potential benefits of implementing intelligent agents in terms of increased efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, and enhanced competitive advantage. Additionally, it discusses the social, ethical, and legal issues and dilemmas associated with the use of intelligent agents in electronic commerce.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text encompass artificial intelligence, intelligent agents, electronic commerce, e-business, business applications, cost-benefit analysis, SWOT analysis, consumer behavior, and ethical and legal implications. The text explores the potential of intelligent agents to revolutionize electronic businesses, highlighting their impact on customer interactions, business processes, and market dynamics. It examines the technological advancements, challenges, and opportunities associated with implementing intelligent agents in various e-commerce scenarios, providing a comprehensive analysis of their commercial applicability.

• College: European Business School - International University Schloß Reichartshausen Oestrich-Winkel
• Grade: 1.3
• Author: Thomas Kramer (Author)
• Publication Year: 2002
• Pages: 73
• Catalog Number: V185747
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656981497
• ISBN (Book): 9783867466318
• Language: English
• Tags: assessment, businesses