MSU   HB 370  V-Commerce Course

 

In Spring 2000, Michigan State University's School of Hospitality Business initiated an innovative course titled "V-Commerce" focused on information technology and product marketing in the vending/OCS industry. The course was built based on a logical sequencing of flow from product manufacturing, through supply chain distribution, to vending operator, to machine inclusion, to end consumer. The course is taught by Dr. Michael L. Kasavana, NCE, the NAMA Endowed Professor in Hospitality Business at MSU. Most classes feature industry leaders presenting current trends and near future developments in such select aspects as machine design, electronic controls, peripheral component interfaces, branding, packaging, and/or sales contracting. Each presentation is professionally video taped for NAMA use at Expos, webinars, non-MSU programming, and additional applications. The course, despite being an elective for juniors and seniors taking a challenging hospitality business curriculum, has been enrolled to capacity in each semester it has been offered.

 

MSU/NAMA Executive Development Program

 

In addition to the HB 370 V-Commerce course, the School of Hospitality Business also offers the week-long NAMA Executive Development Program (co-sponsored by Con-Agra Foods). The NAMA/MSU Executive Development Program is designed for senior leaders in the vending, coffee service and foodservice management industries who are key decision-makers in areas such as finance, marketing, operations, and human resources. This unique program provides a comprehensive look at current successful business practices in these industries, including the environment in which a vending, coffee service or foodservice management company operates, and the key functional areas of management. The NAMA Executive Development Program is taught by a group of MSU's most distinguished faculty, along with speakers with excellent knowledge of and backgrounds in the vending, coffee service and foodservice management industries.

 

 

Dr. Michael Kasavana, NCE

 

Michael L. Kasavana is the National Automatic Merchandising Association professor in hospitality business and holds CHTP (Certified Hospitality Technology Professional) certification. He continues research into the current and near future Developments of electronic commerce and transaction processing technology. He has also created a series of instructional materials and software products. Dr. Kasavana has been actively exploring Internet, Intranet and Extranet opportunities for various aspects of the hospitality industry involving virtual cash transactions, application service providers, e-procurement, and effective web site design. He recently completed an innovative research project dealing with the impact of technology on industry productivity and competitive advantage and is credited with coining the phrase "V-commerce".