I'm looking for information about how reasonable it is for companies
to have no choice but to develop an ecommerce strategy. Examples of
this as well would be helpful. As much information, articles, websites
etc would be greatly apprecieated.

For question clarification: saab@beohm.com

Thanks

Hi! Thanks for the question.

Here are links to articles, which shows the necessities of setting up
e-commerce websites for companies. Some documents are also in PDF
format so you will need a reader like Adobe Acrobat to access the
file. In case you haven’t installed it yet in your PC you may download
it here (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html).

“E-Commerce Business Models”
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/ss00035e.html

“Competitive Advantages of E-Commerce”
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/ss00038e.html 

Our next articles show the ever-increasing importance of E-commerce in
the economic environment.

“E-commerce outperformed total economic activity in three of four
major economic sectors measured between 2000 and 2001 among key
economic sectors.”

“E-commerce 2001 Highlights”
http://www.census.gov/eos/www/papers/2001/2001estatstext.pdf 

“The growth, integration, and sophistication of information technology
and communications are changing our society and economy. Consumers now
routinely use computer networks to identify sellers, evaluate products
and services, compare prices, and exert market leverage. Businesses
use networks even more extensively to conduct and re-engineer
production processes, streamline procurement processes, reach new
customers, and manage internal operations.”

“MEASURING ELECTRONIC BUSINESS”
http://www.census.gov/eos/www/papers/ebusasa.pdf 

“RETAIL E-COMMERCE SALES IN FOURTH QUARTER 2002 WERE $14.3 BILLION, UP
28.2 PERCENT FROM FOURTH QUARTER 2001, CENSUS BUREAU REPORTS”
http://www.census.gov/mrts/www/current.html 

Our last resources meanwhile provide examples of companies realizing
the necessities of e-commerce in their industry.

Warrook Cattle Farm
http://www.noie.gov.au/projects/CaseStudies/Ecommerce/ShortForm/industry/warrook.htm

Shop At Home Network
http://www.sun.com/solutions/third-party/ecommerce/success/shop_at_home.pdf

Credit Suisse
http://www.sun.com/solutions/third-party/ecommerce/success/creditsuisse.pdf

Xerox
http://www.sun.com/solutions/third-party/ecommerce/success/xerox.pdf 

Search terms used:    
E-commerce necessary “success stories” advantages statistics
        
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
        
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Regards,         
Easterangel-ga         
Google Answers Researcher

excellent thankyou!