e-commerce, and business on consumer protection issues and negotiating a range of multi-lateral and bilateral international agreements. The key international policy initiative for e-commerce is the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Consumer Protection in the Context of Electronic Commerce. The OECD is made up of 29 member countries and is one of the world's peak bodies for the development of economic and social policy. The Guidelines were released in December 1999 and are now being used by most member countries as the chief policy tool for the regulation of e-commerce.A major concern for most consumers is online security. A Web site's privacy policy is deceptively helpful because lengthy tracts of legalese only exacerbate consumer fear. Winning over the reluctant consumer is probably the biggest challenge to e-commerce industry. Amazon.com framework identifies a number of key issues that need to be addressed to ensure that there is a safe and efficient online environment. These key issues are: Information - the provision of adequate information to consumers; Payment - establishing secure methods for paying online; Redress - availability of effective and accessible redress avenues; and Privacy - protection of personal information in the online environment.Industry Attractiveness Amazon.com is a large corporation with more than thirty million customers. Currently, we are listed on the NASDAQ register under AMZN at $12.19 per share. In contrast, shares were $7.20 a share in Oct 2001 and $91.50 in Dec 2000. In comparison to competitors such as Barnes & Nobel, Amazon consistently brings in lower gross profits, although we have great customer service and loyal customers. According to CEO, Mr. Bezos, during a Channel 4 (KNBC) new clip on 4 Dec 01, “Amazon may incur a profit during the fourth quarter of 2001 for the first time, since its inception.” Profits can be attributed to custo...
