關於電子商務英語文章
隨著計算機網路的迅速普及和全球經濟一體化,電子商務正越來越廣泛地應用於企業的經濟貿易領域。下面是小編帶來的關於電子商務英語文章,歡迎閱讀!
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靠電子商務拯救世界 Internet is a bane for developing economies
Last week, Jack Ma called for a new “e-WTO” with the aim of helping small businesses get on theInternet, as the best hope in the fight against poverty. This appeal came after Alibaba’slargest ever “Singles Day” a week earlier, with almost US$14.3bn of merchandise sold in 24hours. Alibaba’s social media accounts even reported that Premier Li Keqiang called CEO JackMa to wish him a successful day. “Singles Day” is now the world’s largest shopping day,dwarfingeven the United States’ “Black Friday.”
不久前,馬雲Jack Ma呼籲建立一個新的、旨在幫助小企業利用網際網路的“電子世貿組織”e-WTO,並將此作為消除貧困的最大希望所在。馬雲發出此番呼籲一週之前,阿里巴巴Alibaba在“光棍節”Singles Day當天24小時內銷售了創歷史新高的近143億美元的商品。阿里巴巴的社交媒體賬戶甚至宣稱,中國也致電馬雲,預祝“雙十一”取得成功。“光棍節”如今已成為世界規模最大的購物狂歡節,甚至連美國的“黑色星期五”Black Friday都相形見絀。
These are the latest manifestations of a worrying obsession with e-commerce and theInternet in Asia’s largest economies. In March, Beijing announced its new “Internet Plus” planto expand Internet connectivity. Premier Li, when describing it, brought up the “mobileInternet”, “cloud computing”, “big data”, “intelligent manufacturing” and the “Internet ofThings,” in a manner similar to business leaders in America. Nor is this digital obsessionrestricted to China. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Mark Zuckerberg atFacebook’s headquarters received as much, if not more, media attention as his address onsustainable development to the United Nations days earlier.From the almost breathless mannerin which business leaders use words like “innovation”, “the sharing economy” and “makerspaces”, it can sometimes be hard to distinguish real analysis from wild speculation whentalking about the Internet and e-commerce. The assertion is that digital expansion wouldallow countries to skip entire stages of development, such as investing in real infrastructure,preventing life-threatening pollution, managing resources carefully, and installing valuesystems in an increasingly ethically-challenged world. What the focus on e-commerce actuallyrepresents is the continued inability of the developing world to free itself from Western ideasabout models for economic growth and definitions of modernity.
這是亞洲大型經濟體令人擔憂地醉心於電子商務和網際網路的最新表現。今年3月,中國政府宣佈了新的“網際網路+”Internet Plus計劃,目的是擴大網路連通性。在描繪這一計劃時,以近似於美國商界領袖的方式提及了“移動網際網路”、“雲端計算”、“大資料”、“智慧製造”以及“物聯網”等概念。這種對數字化的痴迷並不僅限於中國。印度納倫德拉莫迪Narendra Modi在Facebook總部與馬克丠克伯格Mark Zuckerberg的會面,受到的媒體關注與他在聯合國就可持續發展議題發表演講時一樣多——如果不是更多的話。在談到網際網路與電子商務時,從商業領袖嘴裡不停冒出的“創新”、“分享經濟”和“創客空間”中,有時很難分辨出是真正的分析還是瘋狂的投機。有斷言稱,數字化擴張將使各國能夠將一些發展階段完全跳過——如對實體基礎設施進行投資,防止危及生存的汙染,審慎管理資源以及在道德日益遭到挑戰的世界確立價值體系。對電子商務的關注實際上體現出,發展中國家一直不能擺脫西方關於經濟增長模式的理念及對現代性的定義。
The claim that the Internet will fundamentally transform development is unproven anduntested. What is clear is that the Internet makes consumption easier, faster and moreexpansive than ever before. Analysts have thus looked to e-commerce and China’s Internetgiants to help “save” China’s economic model from slowing down.
網際網路將從根本上改變發展模式的斷言既未經證實,也未經檢驗。當下明顯的是,網際網路使消費變得比以往任何時候更容易、更快、更無所不包。因此,分析師們開始指望電子商務以及中國的網際網路巨頭幫助“拯救”中國的經濟模式免於陷入增長放緩。
However, this is the last thing China and other developing countries need. The reality is that e-commerce reduces the private costs of consumption, but little, if anything, to reduce itsoverall social cost. Now, billions of locally-produced products have a massive carbon footprint,as they transported across large distances to faraway customers at a time when we need to bereducing our carbon emissions. In addition, internet retail relies on a growing globaladdiction to wasteful impulse-buying as driver of its business model —“Singles Day” and“Cyber Monday” are testament to that.
但是,這是中國及其他發展中國家最不需要做的事。現實情況是,電子商務降低了消費行為的私人成本,但很少、甚至根本沒有減少消費的整體社會成本。如今,正當我們需要減少碳排放之際,數十億計地方製造的產品在跨越千里送到遙遠的消費者手中的同時也產生了巨大的碳足跡。此外,網路零售依靠全球越來越著迷於浪費性衝動購物作為此種商業模式的推動力——“雙十一”和“網路星期一”Cyber Monday即為證明。
Thus, e-commerce increases the divergence between what the individual pays and whatsociety suffers. If one accepts that our economic model thrives on under-pricing goods andservices to promote relentless consumption by externalising its true cost such asgreenhouse gases and carbon emissions, then e-commerce, by making goods cheaper,worsens the economy’s market failure. This will only lead to greater costs being placed on themajority due to the external costs central to underpriced consumption. The institutionssociety depends upon to draw the balance between consumption, protection andconservation—be they governments, watchdogs or international agencies—are put underenormous pressure as production and consumption become far easier and faster through theInternet.
因此,電子商務加劇了個人支出與社會成本之間的不平衡。如果人們接受並認為,我們的經濟模式要依靠定價偏低的商品與服務實現繁榮,而後者又通過將自身真實成本如溫室氣體和碳排放外部化來推動瘋狂消費,那麼電子商務就通過降低商品價格加劇了市場經濟失靈。這隻會讓大多數人被迫承擔更大的成本,因為價格偏低的消費的核心就是造成外部成本。隨著網際網路使得生產與消費變得更便捷、更迅速,社會所依賴的在消費、環境保護與節約之間保持平衡的機構——不論是政府、監管機構,還是國際機構——均面臨巨大壓力。
The truth is that the ability to access Facebook or Alibaba is simply not a priority for amajority that has yet to fulfil their basic needs. How would “the Internet of Things” lead to realdevelopment outcomes for the global poor? How would the majority gain access to the rightsof life—food, water, sanitation, healthcare, education—through e-commerce?
事實是,能夠訪問Facebook或阿里巴巴對於大多數仍未滿足自身基本需求的人而言根本不重要。“物聯網”如何為全球貧困人口帶來真正的發展成果?多數人又如何通過電子商務獲得包括食物、水、衛生、醫療、教育在內的生命權?
Hoping that the Internet, by supposedly unleashing consumption and entrepreneurship, willhelp the poor is merely another example of wishful economic thinking: where helping those atthe top would hopefully trickle down to the poor. Even in the United States, with its decade-long head start in digital connectivity, it has yet to be seen how e-commerce helps the lives ofthe unemployed and the working classes—if anything, it has taken jobs away. Part of thesavings from e-commerce has come at the expense of labour, by providing fewer jobs withless job security and fewer benefits than traditional employment. This is not a model to berepeated in the developing world where millions are looking for a decent job and still lacksecure access to basic needs as well as the social safety nets meant to be provided by thestate.
期待網際網路——通過所謂釋放消費和創業精神——能幫助窮人只是又一種一廂情願的經濟思維:頂層富人受益的同時可能向窮人下滲一些好處。即使在數字化連線領域領先了10年的美國,也尚未看到電子商務對失業者和工薪階層的生活有什麼幫助——如果說有什麼影響的話,也是奪走了就業機會。電子商務帶來的部分收益是以犧牲勞動者權益為代價的,因為其提供的工作崗位比起傳統就業更少,工作保障和收入也更少。這並非發展中世界應該效仿的模式,發展中國家仍有數以百萬計的人口正在尋找體面的工作,仍缺乏滿足基本需求的有保障途徑,而且本應由國家提供的社會保障網也不完善。
To be fair to China, Beijing has yet to reveal the full details of the “Internet Plus” plan or itssignificance in its future development program. Over the next five years, China is currentlypredicted to spend about Rmb2tn, or $313bn, on the Internet — a large amount, to be sure,but dwarfed by the Rmb17tn, or $2.6tn, that China will spend on environmental protection.
公平而言,北京方面尚未透露“網際網路+”計劃的全部細節或在其未來發展規劃中的重要性。目前預計中國未來五年將在網際網路領域投入約2萬億元人民幣合3130億美元——可以肯定,這是一筆鉅額投入,但與中國將在環境保護上支出的17萬億元人民幣約合2.6萬億美元相比就很小了。
However, the risk remains that Chinawill be distracted by a lop-sided view of the economicbenefits of e-commerce. This risk is not limited to China. Prime Minister Modi has called for anational fibre optic network and pledged the construction of hundreds of “smart cities.”These goals seem outlandish given the very real development issues that plague India, such asthe lack of consistent and adequate access to adequate sanitation and clean water. Fundingthe pipes that would carry the latter rather than optic cables would certainly make a great dealof sense, yet it is only the investment in Internet connectivity that attracts the attention andinterest of politicians and investors.
然而,風險依然存在:關於電子商務經濟效益的片面觀點將分散中國決策者的注意力。這種風險不僅存在於中國。印度莫迪曾呼籲建立全國光纖網路,並宣稱要建設數百個“智慧城市”。考慮到困擾印度的眾多現實發展問題——如缺乏衛生設施和清潔水的持續充足供應,這些目標顯得格格不入。顯然,投資於輸送清潔水的管道、而非光纜才是極為合理的,然而,只有網路連線方面的投資才能吸引政界人士和投資者的注意與興趣。
The issues faced by China, Indiaand the developing world have no precedent in human history,and seeking solutions via archaic economic models and technology fads is sheer folly. Theireconomic development has already led to huge environmental degradation: China’s official newsagencies now use the term “doomsday” to describe air pollution.
中印以及整個發展中世界所面臨的問題在人類歷史上沒有先例,通過過時的經濟模型和技術風潮尋求解決方案絕對是愚蠢的。這些國家的經濟發展已經帶來了大範圍的環境退化:中國官方新聞機構如今用“世界末日”一詞來形容國內的空氣汙染。
Billions of poor have yet to have their basic needs met, let alone share in prosperity. These arethe people that those involved in “maker spaces” or “the sharing economy” convenientlyignore. After all, the poor don’t have anything to share in what so far is an “un-sharing” globaleconomy typified by widening economic disparities. The Internet will surely not solve theseproblems, and more free-riding consumption is the last thingChina orIndia needs. Using theInternet as a crutch must not distract from the tough work of development.
數十億計的貧困人口仍未能滿足自身的基本需求,更不用說共享繁榮。他們就是被那些參與“創客空間”或“共享經濟”的人輕易忽視的群體。畢竟,在迄今仍為“非共享”且發展差距日益擴大的全球經濟中,窮人沒有什麼可供分享。網際網路必然無法解決這些問題,更多的搭便車式消費是中國和印度最不需要的。利用網際網路作為柺杖不能影響為發展所要付出的艱難努力。
By extension, China and India must have “dreams” that are bigger than the Internet. Theyneed to take the lead in figuring out a new model of development for the 21stCentury thatintelligently leverages science and technology, but without being seduced by musings about e-commerce that mask deep structural flaws of current economic models. Resolving thosepressing issues should be the real “innovation” that lies at the heart of any developmentprogram.
更進一步而言,中國和印度必須有比擁抱網際網路更大的“夢想”。他們需要帶頭為21世紀找到一種新的發展模式——智慧地利用科學技術,同時不能因迷戀掩蓋了當前經濟模式深層次結構缺陷的電子商務而誤入歧途。解決這些緊迫問題才是應該居於所有發展規劃核心的真正“創新”。
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電子商務的定義和內容
Electronic Commerce over the Internet is a new concept. In recent years, it has become sobroadly used that it is often left undifferentiated from other current trends which rely onautomation, such as concurrent engineering and just in time manufacturing. Many companies,including CyberCash, Dig Cash, First Virtual, and Open Market had provided a variety ofelectronic commerce services.
通過Internet的電子商務是一個新概念。在近年,它已經被如此廣泛的使用以至於它與當前依靠自動化的其他趨勢無差別,例如程學和即時生產。很多公司,包括CyberCash、Dig Cash、First Virtua和Open Market已經提供多種電子商務服務。
If you have access to a personal computer PC and can connect to the Internet with a browser,you can do business online. No more worries about programming. No more searching foroutdated catalogs as a customer or printing catalogs as a merchant. No more looking forphone numbers, paying long-distance to connect, or keeping the store open late into theevening. Just get on the Web, open an online store, and watch your business grow.
如果你有機會使用一部個人計算機並且能通過瀏覽連線上Internet,你就能線上做生意。不用再為程式設計擔心。客戶再也不用尋找過時的目錄,而商家再也不用列印目錄。再也不用查詢電話號碼,支付長途費用,或者很晚還開著商店。只要上網,開一家網上商店,就可以看你的生意增長。
The wired world of business, developed technology, human talent, and a new way of doingbusiness make up today's growing worldwide economy. The backbone of this electroniccommerce is the Internet. The wired world is not about technology, it is about information,decision making, and communication. The wired world is changing life for everyone, from thesingle household to the largest corporation. No business can afford to ignore the potentialof a connected economy.
技術,人的才能,和新經營方式構成今天的日益增長的全球經濟。電子商務的根基是 Internet。網路世界不僅僅是技術,它是關於資訊、決策和交際的網。這個世界正在改變每個人的生活,從單個的家庭到大的公司。沒有企業能忽視網際網路經濟的潛能。
Electronic commerce is an emerging concept that describes the process of buying and sellingor exchanging of products, services, and information via computer networks including theInternet. Kalakota and Whinston 1997 define EC from these perspectives:
電子商務作為新興的概念,它描述廣通過計算機網路包括Internet買賣或交換商品、服務與資訊的過程。Kalakota 和 Whinston 1997從以下角度定義了電子商務:
From a communications perspective, EC is the delivery of information, products/services, orpayments over telephone lines, computer networks, or any other electronic means.
從通訊角度看,電子商務是通過電話線路、計算機網路或其他電子方式傳遞資訊、產品、服務或支付。
From a business process perspective, EC is the application of technology toward theautomation of business transactions and work flow.
從商務角度看,電子商務是為促使商務交易及工流程自動化而實施的技術成用。
From a service perspective, EC is a tool that addresses the desire of firms, consumers, andmanagement to cut service costs while improving the quality of goods and increasing the speedof service delivery.
從服務角度看,電子商務是一種工具,用來幫助公司、消費者和管理者減少服務成本,提高產品質量,加快服務速度。
From an on-line perspective, EC provides the capability of buying and selling products andinformation on the Internet and other on-line services.
從線上角度看,電子商務通過Internet及其聯機服務,提供商品與資訊的購買和銷售。
The term commerce is viewed by some as transactions conducted between business partners.Therefore, the term electronic commerce seems to be fairly narrow to some people. Thus,many use the term e-business. It refers to a broader definition of EC, not just buying andselling but also servicing customers and collaborating with business partners, and conductingelectronic transactions within an organization. According to Lou Gerstner, IBM's CEO: "E-business is all about cycle time, speed, globalization, enhanced productivity, reaching newcustomers and sharing knowledge across institutions for competitive advantage."
人們將商務看作商業夥伴之間的交易行為。因此,對於某些人來說,電子商務的概念有些偏窄。所以許多人使用e-business —詞,即廣義的電子商務。廣義的電子商務不僅涉及到買與賣,還包括對客戶的服務,商業夥伴之間的合作以及企業組織內部的電子交易。 根據IBM公司執行長Lou Gerstner所言:“廣義的電子商務是一個完整的週期,意味著高速度、全球化、增加產量、獲得新的客戶、共享競爭優勢。”
Just like any other type of commerce, electronic commerce involves two parties: businessesand consumers. There are three basic types of electronic commerce.
正如任何其他型別商業一樣,電子商務主要包含兩個主體:企業和消費者。有三種基本的電子商務型別。
Business-to-Consumer B2C: These are retailing transactions with individual shoppers. Thetypical shopper at Amazon is a consumer, or a customer. Oftentimes, this arrangementeliminates the middleman by providing manufacturers direct sales to customers. Other times,retail stores create a presence on the Web as another way to reach customers.
企業對消費者B2C:這是一種而向個體購物者的零售交易。諸如亞馬遜網站的客戶,就是典型的個體購物者。通常這種模式將產品直接銷售給客戶,免去了許多中間環節。另外,零售商通過Web站點和客戶建立了另外一個通道。
Consumer-to-ConsumerC2C: This category involves individuals selling to individuals. Thisoften takes the form of an electronic version of the classified ads or an auction. Goods aredescribed and interested buyers contact sellers to negotiate prices. Unlike traditional sales viaclassified ads and auctions, buyers and sellers typically never meet face-to-face. Examples areindividuals selling in classified ads and selling residential property, cars, and so on. Advertisingpersonal services on the Internet and selling knowledge and expertise is another example ofC2C. Several auction sites allow individuals to put items up for auctions. Finally, many individualsare using internal networks to advertise items for sale or service.
消費者對消費者C2C:在這一型別中消費者與消費者之間直接進行交易。經常採取分類廣告或拍賣的電子形式,貨物在網上展示吸引買方與賣方議價。與通過分類廣告和拍賣的傳統的銷售不同,買方和賣方通常從未見過面。例如,個人在分類廣告中銷售房產或轎車等。在Internet上提供個人服務廣告,進行專業性的諮詢服務是C2C的另外一個例證。有幾個拍賣網站提供個人的拍賣服務專案。最後,還有許多人通過內聯網提供銷售或服務的廣告資訊。
Business-to-Business B2B: This category involves the sale of a product or service fromone business to another. This is typically a manufacturer-supplier relationship. For example, afurniture manufacturer requires raw materials such as wood, paint, and varnish. In B2Belectronic commerce, manufacturers electronically place orders with suppliers and many timespayment is made electronically.
企業對企業B2B:在這一型別中涉及企業與企業之間進行產品和服務的交易。通常是一種製造商與供應者的關係。例如,一個傢俱製造商需要原料例如木頭,畫,以及淸漆。在企業對企業電子商務過程中,製造商以電子方式向供應商訂購,很多次款項都以電子方式支付。
Many people think EC is just having a Web site, but EC is much more than that. There aredozens of applications of EC such as home banking, shopping in on-line stores and malls,buying stocks, finding a job, conducting an auction, and collaborating electronically onresearch and development projects. To execute these applications, it is necessary to havesupporting information and organizational infrastructure and systems. EC applications aresupported by infrastructures, and their implementation is dependent on four major , public policy, technical standards and protocols, and other organizations. The ECmanagement coordinates the applications, infrastructures, and pillars.
很多人認為電子商務就是有一個網站,但是電子商務遠不止於此。電子商務的應用很廣,如家庭銀行業務、線上商店和商業區的購物、買股票、找到一個工作、進行一次拍賣以及在網上合作研發專案等等。為了執行這些應用,有支援資訊和機構化的基礎結構和系統是必要的。基礎設施支援電子商務成用,並且它們的實施依賴於四個主要方面:人民、國家政策、技術標準和協議以及其他組織。電子商務管理協調應用,基礎設施和支柱。
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