Canberra, Monday 4 June, 2001

First e-commerce professor is appointed at ANU

For the first time an e-commerce professor has been appointed at The Australian National University.

Professor Shirley Gregor brings over twenty-five years of industry and academic experience to the new role of Professor of Information Systems in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce.

The growing importance of the Internet in business is reflected in the appointment of Professor Gregor and plans to establish an e-commerce research centre at the ANU. “It is almost impossible to get away from using the world wide web in everyday business,” Professor Gregor said. “Its everywhere – including on-line banking, electronic lodgement of a Business Activity Statement (BAS) as well as building a website for sales or business-to-business links.”

“How businesses adapt to the use of Internet is important. An increasing number of people are being forced to adopt technologies they don’t understand or are building the wrong systems.”

Professor Gregor is currently working on a project funded by the Australian Research Council to investigate the use of e-commerce in agribusiness. It aims to help train producers and use the Internet strategically for business operations.

“Farmers are adopting Internet technologies at a faster rate because they recognise the communication advantages,” Professor Gregor said. “But many need help to integrate e-commerce software and processes into their businesses. This may involve a different approach from their traditional sales – for example combining with other beef producers and establishing a group database so they can benefit from forward marketing.”

Professor Gregor is keen to create more links between the ANU and industry. “We are planning to introduce more classes on e-commerce into the current undergraduate economics and commerce programs to train the business people of the future. It is important to ensure we are designing courses that are relevant and responsive to industry.”

For more information contact:
Professor Shirley Gregor, Professor of Information Systems, 02 6125 3749 (w)
or Clarissa Thorpe, Media Liaison Officer, on 02 6125 5575 (w), 0416 249 245 (m)

No: 48/2001

© 2000 Marketing & Communications Division,
The Australian National University.
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Last Modified Tue, July 16, 2002