CHAPTER 3: ORIENTATIONS, SOLUTIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN
3.2 SOLUTIONS TO PROMOTE CROSS-BORDER E-COMMERCE IN
Based on the assessment of Vietnam's cross-border e-commerce promotion in Chapter 2, the authors will propose solutions related to Vietnam's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges in this sub-chapter.
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Table 3.1: Proposed solutions based on Vietnam's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges
Oportunity Threat
Strength
Solutions to develop the IT infrastructure to take advantage of international cooperation (3.2.1)
Solutions to develop the quality of the Vietnamese products under the impact of Covid-19 pandemic (3.2.3)
Weakness
Solutions to improve the quality of human resources to take advantages of FTAs (3.2.2)
Solutions to improve the infrastructure to restrict challenges (3.2.4)
Source: Summarized by the author 3.2.1 Solutions to improve information technology infrastructure to take advantage of the international cooperation
Firstly, improve the technology infrastructure. Enterprises need to install electronic devices to serve sales activities such as computers, mobile phones, desk phones, and network equipment. In addition, businesses need to provide enough electricity for the above devices to operate stably, avoid interruptions during the working process. Businesses should have a team of technical staff to repair and maintenance of internet systems and equipment for businesses. Besides, applying Big Data for e- commerce management is necessary, which improves customer relationship and manage high-quality data sources.
Secondly, for the use of cross-border e-commerce promotion platforms, businesses need to focus on building websites. That is a marketing channel that helps customers have better access to products. Building a website can be difficult, but businesses can outsource this website building activity from the third parties or use international e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Alibaba, eBay, Etsy.
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Thirdly, one of the reasons that customers are afraid to participate in cross-border e-commerce is customer information security. They feel risky when providing information to a foreign seller's system. Hence, the technology infrastructure in the enterprise needs to be focused on improving the network security system to help to protect data, avoid disclosing business information and customer information, causing loss and affect to businesses, customers, and relevant individuals.
3.2.2 Solutions to improve the quality of human resources to take advantage of the FTAs
For existing human resources, enterprises should conduct training and retraining by sending people to study abroad. Enterprises regularly meetings to evaluate the performance of employees, remove difficulties, and set future strategies. In addition, businesses need to have worthy remuneration policies for professional and technical staff so they can contribute more. To recruit new human resources, Vietnamese enterprises need to recruit workers with professional qualifications (knowledge of e-commerce, information technology), fluent in foreign languages, knowledge of international law, and different cultures.
For human resources in the future, Vietnam enterprises coordinate with universities to organize internship programs to attract students, thereby increasing the chances of recruiting good human resources. Businesses should associate with universities to participate in the training and fostering process, thereby selecting the best students, promoting e-commerce training to create high-quality human resources meeting the demands of the industry. In addition, it is necessary to continue promoting the role of medium and short-term training programs conducted by training institutes, centers, associations, and companies for practical training.
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3.3.3 Solutions to develop the quality of the Vietnamese products under the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
Vietnam is highly appreciated in the export sector, especially in commodities like rice, coffee, electronic components, furniture, etc. In the context of epidemic and some other challenges, however, Vietnamese enterprises need solutions to improve the quality of the products and limit the impact of the epidemic.
Firstly, focus on meeting customer needs. Customers in cross-border e-commerce are mainly foreigners so the product requirements are also different. Vietnamese businesses need to conduct customer surveys in the international market through direct surveys, online questionnaires, or receive feedback after orders. Another method is to use data from the market research companies, reports, and statistics from the Government. Understanding market needs helps businesses assess the size and customer satisfaction, thereby changing and improving product quality. Especially, the Covid-19 impact users' activities when they have to quarantine or work or study at home. For example, coffee will be favored in the Covid-19 period because coffee and beverage stores have to close, people have to work from home.
Secondly, information technology is applied to the production process. The development of information technology has greatly contributed to the trade of goods.
Hence, to improve the quality of Vietnamese products, businesses need to pay attention to the application of technology in checking the input and output of products, manufactured products, and packaging processes.
Thirdly, building Vietnamese product brands should be focused on. Vietnamese businesses need to invest in marketing activities targeting many foreign markets.
Products transacted through cross-border e-commerce need to meet customer requirements, and Vietnamese enterprises have to build a brand with the slogan "high- quality Vietnamese products" for customers.
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3.3.4 Solutions to improve the infrastructure to restrict challenges
Cross-border e-commerce has a strong development. But for many Vietnamese businesses, this is still a new economic sector and causes many difficulties in the operation. Businesses are lack skills and experience in completing the payments process and logistics delivering goods to customers. Therefore, the combination between Vietnamese enterprises and other service providers is essential. Regarding payment activities, in addition to supporting customers to pay through the company's website system, businesses can cooperate with third-party payment service providers such as Paypal, Paydollar to help customers international easier to make payments. It is necessary to coordinate with domestic and international banks to ensure an effective payment process through the interbank.
Regarding operational logistics, Vietnamese businesses also face many difficulties in delivering goods to customers in other countries. Currently, there are many businesses in the market that provide logistics services. They ensure the customs clearance procedures, arrange goods and deliver goods to the address of foreign customers. Outsourcing these services helps businesses shorten transaction time, and minimize the risk of lack of professional skills.