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Patrick Henry Winston. Dossa, Zahir (Zahir A.) Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 2011-02-23T14:21:57Z 2011-02-23T14:21:57Z 2010 2010 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/61158 698247903 Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2010. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-76). Value chain transparency, such as publishing member biographies and profit distribution, can be a powerful tool in increasing consumer trust and consumer loyalty. This thesis provides a methodology for integrating value chain transparency into Ecommerce site design and makes preliminary findings of the positive influence this strategy has on consumer buying behavior. The design and implementation of integrating value chain information within an E-commerce site is demonstrated through the development of theargantree.com. The Argan Tree is a cooperative of 18 women based in southwestern Morocco who produce argan oil. theargantree.com connects these producers to consumers in the U.S. to sell this oil for its culinary and cosmetic benefits. The implications of this study can transform the cooperative landscape, which is often marked by low wages, a lack of accountability, and difficulty competing in high-end markets. By equipping these organizations with the Internet-based strategies proposed, cooperatives can overcome these challenges and serve as organizations capable of real poverty-alleviation. While the direct application of this thesis is aimed at producer cooperatives of under-privileged populations, the underlying theories and findings can support any retail organization. by Zahir Dossa. M.Eng. 76 p. eng Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. A development strategy for connecting first-world consumers to third-world producers : integrating value chain transparency into E-commerce design Integrating value chain transparency into E-commerce design Thesis application/pdf false Publication unknown unknown <Publication xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/1.1/" id="32bc8320-7a09-4e16-99c0-968ab9b47300"> <Type xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/vocab/COAR_Publication_Types">http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_1843</Type> <Language>eng</Language> <Title>A development strategy for connecting first-world consumers to third-world producers : integrating value chain transparency into E-commerce design</Title> <Subtitle>Integrating value chain transparency into E-commerce design</Subtitle> <PublishedIn> <Publication> </Publication> </PublishedIn> <PublicationDate>2010</PublicationDate> <Authors> <Author> <DisplayName>Dossa, Zahir (Zahir A.)</DisplayName> <Affiliation> <OrgUnit> </OrgUnit> </Affiliation> </Author> </Authors> <Editors> </Editors> <Publishers> <Publisher> <DisplayName>Massachusetts Institute of Technology</DisplayName> <OrgUnit /> </Publisher> </Publishers> <License>http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582</License> <Keyword>Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.</Keyword> <Abstract>Value chain transparency, such as publishing member biographies and profit distribution, can be a powerful tool in increasing consumer trust and consumer loyalty. This thesis provides a methodology for integrating value chain transparency into Ecommerce site design and makes preliminary findings of the positive influence this strategy has on consumer buying behavior. The design and implementation of integrating value chain information within an E-commerce site is demonstrated through the development of theargantree.com. The Argan Tree is a cooperative of 18 women based in southwestern Morocco who produce argan oil. theargantree.com connects these producers to consumers in the U.S. to sell this oil for its culinary and cosmetic benefits. The implications of this study can transform the cooperative landscape, which is often marked by low wages, a lack of accountability, and difficulty competing in high-end markets. By equipping these organizations with the Internet-based strategies proposed, cooperatives can overcome these challenges and serve as organizations capable of real poverty-alleviation. While the direct application of this thesis is aimed at producer cooperatives of under-privileged populations, the underlying theories and findings can support any retail organization.</Abstract> <Access xmlns="http://purl.org/coar/access_right" > </Access> </Publication>