The module requires students to reflect on their learning from lectures, tutorials and the study texts from year 1 in the context of realistic business scenarios. The aim is to develop an understanding of how the key developments in e-commerce and social media impact on business practice and decision-making, particularly with marketing strategy. The module offers students the opportunity to explore a number of pertinent issues facing the modern rural business ranging from the question of virtual trading vs bricks and mortar to the increasing need to participate in the technological revolution (and the real business costs of doing this) if changing customer needs are to continue to be met by for the modern business, particularly with the explosive changes in e-commerce arising during 2020 with the Covid-19 Pandemic. It is imperative that students have acquired knowledge of the basic principles of marketing theory and decision making as well as having a sound understanding of finance, management and leadership plus HR practice common in contemporary SMEs, to enable them to accurately assess the dilemmas facing management in the day to day running of an e-commerce enterprise. Students will consider wider implications of e-commerce and social media such as ethics and security as well as analysing the current volatile market climate during their study for this module. It is vital that students access contemporary research on current e-commerce practices and issues if classroom theory is to be applied effectively to not only academic study but to the student business role post-graduation when in the workplace.

At the same time the module assessments seeks to develop core employability skills through discussion and debate, as well as critical analysis and evaluation of source material