COMMERCE- EDUCATION-ITS PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

Individuals are members of the society and their action affect the society favorably or adversely. Commerce carefully studies this individual action which is injurious to the society as a whole and recommends the methods of their prevention. There are then certain commerce issues which are of direct interest to the society. The problem of money is protection, incidence of taxation, import-export, the development of agriculture, industries and the like affect the society as a whole. Commerce carefully studies these problems in the light of social welfare and gives its biased opinion. Since the most notable trend of modern politics has become the key note of socialism, Fascism and planned capitalistic economy. Socio-economic problems and macro-micro businesses are fast increasing in number and urgency. Commerce learns all those human activities which are undertaken with the object of earning one's living are called economic activities. Economic activities may be professions, employment and business. Business is an economic activity. Business may be defined as "the regular production or purchase and sale of goods undertaken with the object of earning profits. And Commerce faculty gives the knowledge of wel-earnings with good business. Business has become indispensable in our lives. Business has the capacity to satisfy almost any ambition of an individual. The improvement in the business is directly related to the urge in people to give the best to the world. Profit earning with consumer satisfaction are the true goals of business today. “As the economy becomes more industrialized and society becomes more complex, the knowledge and skills required to deal with the situations also change. Hence, for enabling students to acquire the desired capabilities, contents of courses and their combinations need to be revised, diversified and made more flexible”.

1.1  MAIN PROBLEMS OF SOCIETIES-

1.1.1 The main problem of commerce education is  that Till yester years, commerce education is business education. But, in tune with the needs of the business and society, independent professions have emerged in the form of chartered accountant, cost and works accountant, company secretary and business administrator (M.B.A.). Thus, the cream of commerce has gone and it remained now as an academic discipline giving general and liberal education. 

1.1.2 The another thing is that  Commerce education is a living discipline and is totally different from other disciplines. Hence, it must charter new routes to service the aspirations of the nation. To man the economic development of the country and to meet the growing needs of the society, there is greater demand for sound development of commerce education in Indian Universities. But, what has been going in the name of Commerce education is only liberal and general education. Is that the objective of commerce education? In the process of catering to everybody, we are not able to cater to the needs of any body.  

1.1.3. There are vast numbers of people both in town and country who are brought    up with insufficient of food clothing and house room whose education is broken off.   Early in order that they may go to work for wages who henceforth are engaged during long hours in exhausting toil with imperfectly nourished bodies, and have therefore no chance of developing their mental faculties. It is broadly true that the destruction of the poor is their poverty. Commerce by studying the causes of poverty and suggesting method of their removal does real service to mankind. Post liberalization, the relevance of management education has become more imperative, this means a marked change in the way commerce and management education is perceived in India.The period immediately following independence signaled the pressing need for developing vast management skills. Ever after that, we have traveled a long way and Indian economy is not just new but has become very mature and as of present has become an international player. This is because of liberalization and globalization policies and a shift from planned economy to market oriented economy etc.The above calls for a professional approach, which can be brought about by professionally run Commerce and Management institutions offering commerce and management education. They help to develop information management skills to execute tasks. Skills to solve problems. They help in decision making process in a dynamic environment. They help in development of human resource management skills. They help in developing creativity / innovation. become more professional in their business dealings. They help in developing time management skills as 'Time lost is  money lost'.. 'Customer is the king of the business'. Now the slogan is 'Customer is God'. Commerce and Management education is aimed at this by developing customer services management skills. Thus the main objective of Commerce and Management education is to provide an all round development of the personalities, so that they can manage the affairs of the organization more efficiently and effectively. Thus its objective should not be just to churn out technocrats and managers for the industry but also to train the people to handle the problems with ease and comfort

                          1.2 THE WEAKNESSES OF  COMMERCE EDUCATION-

Higher Education is basically recognized as a service due to the fact that this sector has a huge potential customer in the form of students worldwide. A.K. Vashist, Prof. PU. Chandigarh highlighted the reform measures undertaken by the Govt. in the direction of world class patents in India and their implications and impediments under the title of his paper "Intellectual property Rights in India - Issues and challenges". . To man the economic development of the country and to meet the growing needs of the society, there is greater demand for sound development of commerce education in Indian Universities. But, what has been going in the name of Commerce education is only liberal and general education.The challenge that most of the technology transfer agreements encounter is the task of indigenization of the technology. While the technology supplier wants the recipient company to achieve the same level of quality to be able to compete in the national and international markets, the achievement of this goal is fraught with practical difficulties. Product quality depends upon the quality of inputs and the processes adopted and the quality of the raw material available in the recipient country not being the same it becomes problematic to indegenize the technology.The anther challenge is related with E- Commerce. E-Commerce as anything that involves an outline transaction. E-commerce provides multiple benefits to te consumers in form of availability of goods at lower cost. It looks Wider choice and saves time. But the education of e-commerce faces the problem that there are 2 main parts of e-commerce.(1). E- Merchandise and (2).. E-FinanceE- Merchandise -E- COMMERCE involves connecting business using modern communication.E-Merchandise involves  selling goods and services electronically and moving items through distribution channels. like Telephone, Fax, E-payment -Money Transfer System, E-data Interchange and the Internet shopping for groceries, tickets, music, cloths hardware, travel books, flowers or gifts.. E-Financing –It means with Online businesses like financial services, travel, entertainment and groceries are all likely to grow. But it affects from economical factors, political factors cultural factors and supranational institutions. It is effected by Banking, debit cards, smart cards, banking machines, insurance   financing action and on - line services.Thus the education of commerce now  become wide and it needs proper training.The reasons for unpopularity

            1.2.1 WEAKNESSES OF COMMERCE EDUCATION—

(i.)Craze for Medicine, Engineering , Management and IT courses,

(ii) One group of students believes that Unpopularity of commerce at competitive examinations:- the syllabius of commerce at competitive examinations is not attracting even the meritorious commerce students

.(iii )Commerce graduates are not eligible for teacher training courses, such as   B.Ed in many States like Gujarat .Because mostly arts and science students get preference.

(iv)  Commerce education is a living discipline and is totally different from other disciplines. Hence, it must charter new routes to service the aspirations of the nation. . To man the economic development of the country and to meet the growing needs of the society, there is greater demand for sound development of commerce education in Indian Universities. But, what has been going in the name of Commerce education is only liberal and general education.

(v)   No preference or reservation for commerce graduate either in employment or in admissions to professional courses like C.A, CWA, CS, M.B.A. etc. So. Reserve people can not get advantage of that knowledge.

(vi It needs the means of  additional costs and efforts. Poor students or economically backward students can not afford the extra fees for computer classes, tuitions, or like this.

(vii )   High student low teacher ratio.

( viii) Lack of proper infrastructure: - it is sometimes remarked that many colleges    are virtually academic slums.

  (ix)   So far other short term courses have full material, facility of distant education  and etc.  like this Instruction in regional media and adequate or availability of reading   material in regional media  are not comparatively available.

  (x).    Inadequate teaching aids like commerce lab, CTV-Video films.

            ( xi )   Untrained and ill-equipped teachers.

            ( xii)    It is more content oriented rather than skill and practice oriented.   

(xiii )  Even the content (syllabus) is not up-to-date. with latest scenario, availability of E-finance, etc.  needs keeping pace    with the changing business environment with latest technology to every students. So many a time commerce graduates are found lacking communication and decision-making skills.

(xvi). Knowledge  must be improved time by time of teachers  and visiting faculty. Lack of practical exposure both to the teacher and  teaching methods.  I say that Perhaps commerce may be the only practical subject which is theoretically taught without practical exposure.

(xvii.) There is a policy created by laws that in many cases students who are not able to get seats in other courses like B.B.A. or B.P.N.A. or C.A.integreted course ,then and then  they are compel to  opting for commerce without any interest. . In such a case it is futile to expect wonderful results. They may be disappointed.

(xviii.) Commerce teacher is a jack of all trades: - perhaps he is the only person who is expected to teach all the subjects. Like commerce, banking, enterpreneyrship, business management or some time economics as compulsory subject even if he or she may be interested in accountancy.

( xix.) Govt. should give sufficient  of funds for improvement. Because I say the  Visiting teachers or Adhoc teachers or Fix salary teachers or Part-time teachers       Interested  in teaching ,because they have no job satisfaction.The senior experienced teachers are retired and new recrutements are not satisfied their status so “” aavan-Jaavan” in teachers community make dis -advantage to the commerce education.

Thus, commerce education is facing innumerable problems today. These problems have a direct bearing on the course objectives, course content and course conduct. These problems need serious attention and close scrutiny. It is high time for soul searching for an objective appraisal which will provide the basis for evolving a new strategy for giving a better deal to commerce education in the years to come. Therefore, the need for an all-out effort to re-orient and re-designing the commerce education in such a way that it will be relevant for today and tomorrow

1.2.2   FACTORS AFFECTING TO THE GLOBLE E-COMMERCE-

Stage	Economic and infra structure	Socio cultural factors	Political legal factors	Supranational institutions
Internet adoption	Per capita GDP	Literacy rate and computer skill	The internet's democratic nature incompatible with authoritarian political	UNDP-introduction of the internet in many countries.
	Availability of telephone and computer	English language skill	structures	GATS-competition in telecom sectors
	Pricing structure	Viewed as a tool of cultural imperialism in some	Tariff and non tariff barriers to ICT products	ITA- reducing the price of ICT products.
Buying/selling online	Availability of credit	Intellectual property protection	Redress mechanisms in case of problems in online transactions	UNCITRAL model law
Advertising and searching phase	Operating speed of computer and modern size	Influence of language and symbols used on site visited and purchase decision	Ban on some website in authoritarian regimes	Products can be advertised and searched globally on GTPN of UNCTAD
Payment phase	Penetrationrate of credit cards	Forms of payment: check, wire transfer, cash on delivery etc,	Governments' concern on the outflow of foreign currency.	UNCTAD smart card
Delivery phase	Delivery means and infrastructure	Products stolen some countries	Tariff and non- tariff barriers	Electronic delivery  free of custom duties in WTO member

1.3   STATE AND STATUS OF COMMERCE EDUCATION IN INDIA-

Commerce Education in India was started in 1886, over a hundred and twenty years ago. Since then it has experienced tremendous growth. Commerce faculties are established in many Universities.  In order to understand the progress of commerce education in India since Independence and its present position, we have to rely on statistics.  There are the increasing number of commerce students since 1950-51. The increase in enrolment is substantial from 0.36 lakh in 1950-51 to 14.10 lakhs in 1995-96 and to 20 lakhs now. The enrolment in M.Com and B.Com courses in India during last one and half decades. One important feature of it is that the number of girl students in commerce is on increase in absolute and relative terms both at M.Com and B.Com levels.  The proportion of enrolment at B.Com and M.Com levels. It is  clear that about 8% only are going for M.Com/higher education. About 92% stop with graduation. Therefore there is a need to make commerce graduation courses more meaningful and purposeful. The number of commerce students State-wise and the distribution of students in higher education (in percentage  terms).

NUMBER OF COMMERCE STUDENTS: STATE-WISE

No.	STATE	1970-71  Rank	1999-2000  Rank
1	Andhra Pradesh
2	Arunachal Pradesh
3	Assam
4	Bihar	12,545              8	2,55,574            1
5	Goa	469                 19	6,938                17
6	Gujarat	42,010 3           1	26,450               3
7	Haryana	1,642              14	15,690              15
8	. HimachalPradesh	186                 21	5,972                18
9	Jammu & Kashmir	919 18              4	188                  19
10	Karnataka	24,535              5	76,581                5
11	Kerala	11,794              9	18,086              12
12	Madhya Pradesh	17,810              6	58,960                8
13	Maharastra	87,143           12	31,263                2
14	. Manipur	112                23	608                   24
15	Meghalaya - -	-------	728                   23
16	. Mizoram	---------	260                   26
17	Nagaland -	-------	367                   25
18	Orissa	1,160              16	16,404              13
19	Punjab	1,447              15	16,091              14
20	Rajasthan	14,156              7	18,810              11
21	. Sikkim	------	148                   30
22	Tamilnadu	7,282              11	57,039               9
23	Tripura	1,152              17	1,926                20
24	UttarPradesh	11,679            10	66,742                7
25	West Bengal	81,950              2	71,977                6
26	A & N Islands		198                   29
27	Chandigarh	4190               20	1,615                21
28	D & N Haveli	-----	---------
29	Daman & Diu		248                   27
30	Delhi	7,107              12	37,137              10
31	Lakshadweep -	---------	-----------
32	Pondicherry	1682                22	1,325                  22

Source: REVITALISING COMMERCE EDUCATION-- Vidyasagar University Journal of Commerce

certain broad conclusions can be drawn:

i. Commerce is popular in industrialized States.  

ii. Commerce is more popular in urban areas rather than in rural areas.

iii. It has spread through out the country. Now it has taken roots in all the States  and Union Territories, even though started late. Of course, thedevelopment  is nor uniform in all the States.

iv. If we analyze the enrolment during the last two decades in  percentage terms, commerce share in total enrolment has increased from  17.1% in 1975-76 to 21.9% in 1995-96, and 25% by 2005-06, whereas all  other faculties exhibited either a marginal decline or status quo.

Thus, a single discipline-commerce, which accounts for about 25% of the total enrolment in higher education, unlike Arts or Sciences consisting of many departments,  unfortunately is not getting adequate attention for its needs from the Government and  UGC.  Further, it is not properly understood by the administrators also.

             1.4   SORT OF SWOT/TOWS ANALYSIS

T - Identify the threats to commerce education

O - Identify the areas of opportunities still available for commerce even after providing for CA, CWA, CS and MBAs and new opportunities into which you can enter.

                          W - What are your weaknesses because of which you are not preferred?

             S - What are your strengths, if any? It is better to concentrate on and consolidate on your strengths.  

let us now come to the structuring/designing. While doing so level also should be kept  in mind for framing the course objectives, course content and course conduct. The conventional levels are:

Level I    : Pre-University or + two stage  (Two years)

Level II   : Graduation (Three years)

Level III  : Post-graduation (Two years)

In the changed scenario, non-conventional duration or integrated courses also  may be thought of. While designing the courses the following should be adhered to,  which I remember to have studied in my economics subject.   Three qualifications are essential for a “Good” before it can have value-

i.  It must possess utility (relevance);

ii.  it must be scarce;

iii.  it must be marketable.

All these three qualities are essential together. In the absence of any of these  qualities a “Good” will have no value at all. Of course, this aptly describes our  predicament.   The main branch of business education i.e. Commerce has gone in for quantity  rather than quality, due to the pressure of demand and reached the present stage and state.  The same thing is happening in case of another branch of business education i.e.  management education. It is time for  them to learn lessons from the Commerce  education. In case of other professional streams viz., CA, CWA, CS, even though entry  barriers are not there, exit is not easy. Hence, they are able to maintain their status. 

                           1.5. PROSPECTS OF COMMERCE EDUCATION-

The various ALTERNATIVES available for re-orientation of commerce  education are:

            i. Academic Oriented Courses for giving liberal commerce education, for

developing quality of mind, logical thinking, initiative, attitude to life           and a  general understanding of business.

ii. Vocational/Self Employment Oriented Courses such as taxation,    management   accounting, financial analysis, cost accounting.

iii. Job Oriented Courses such as computer accounting, salesmanship, advertising,  secretarial practice etc for small jobs.   

iv. Management Oriented Courses  The Institutes of Management in the country   are catering to the demands of elitist managerial personnel of industry. We need   a second level of personnel to cater to the requirements of small and tiny industry.  In India, there are many small and tiny industrial units, particularly in the rural areas which need management orientation and a fair dose of management culture. We should strive to create a new class of LICENTIATE MANAGERS for them with complete practical bias just as engineering and medicine. They may be even 5 year integrated courses with commerce laboratory/workshop.  

                         1.6  FUTURE OF COMMERCE  EDUCATION (in 2020)-

           Commerce- education may have  bright future if it --

  1. Build rapport with trade, Commerce and Industry and establish        University Industry Hub)

 2.  Elicit the industry needs and requirements.

3.  Under graduation courses must be made more meaningful as 92% of      them terminating here. P.G. courses (M.Com) be more rigorous in content, skill and practice aspects with emphasis on Accounting and Finance.

4.  Commerce and computers go together. There must be computer papers even at U.G. Level.

5.  As Business operations need more knowledge and skill the syllabus must contain knowledge component, skill component and practice

              *CONCLUSION-

commerce stream is a good option for future......there are many courses in commerce that gives you a good career break, like CA - its the best for students who are good at accounting, so also is ICWA.....then there is CS - for students interested in company's stock listing, legal stuff etc., CFA - for students interested in investment, MBA - for students interested in management part of a business etc.,more importantly, most of these courses can be done along with your degree, means, you can register with the respective institutes and clear the foundation courses and entrance exams, so that after graduation one can clear them quickly.....

 AS WE ENTER THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY, the business world is consumed by questions about e-commerce. As you are aware that, in a growing economy much of the expansion takes place in service sector (tertiary sector) which particularly requires the type of skills and knowledge that our courses offer. The much needed practical bias also can be brought in with the developments in information technology, and with the help of a colour television, video cassettes and computers. Our market is vast and their requirements are varied. Hence, we have to provide for varied courses and not one straight jacket.

While the electronic sale of goods still represents only a small fraction of economic activity, the Internet seems at this moment in history to present almost unlimited possibilities - as both a conduit and a disrupter of business. To shed light on the changes we may see as the early years of our new century unfolded, we asked some close absorbers of electronic commerce to share their thoughts and speculations about the future. Most e-commerce businesses that are not successful fail to deliver the physical aspects of their business, such as logistics, rather than through the electronic aspects of the business. Because of this many e-commerce education courses include some of the basic aspects of business, making sure that you have the knowledge you need to run the whole of the business. .

As the economy becomes more industrialized and society becomes more complex, the knowledge and skills required to deal with the situations also change. Hence, for enabling students to acquire the desired capabilities, contents of courses and their combinations need to be revised, diversified and made more flexible”

According to the editor-in-chief of International Journal of Electronic Commerce, Vladimir Zwass, ‘Electronic commerce is sharing business information, maintaining business relationships and conducting businesstransactions by means of telecommunications networks’.He maintains that in its purest form, electronic commerce has existed for over 40 years,originating from the electronic transmission of messages during the Berlin airlift in 1948.From this, electronic data interchange (EDI) was the next stage of e-commerce development. In the 1960s a cooperative effort between industry groups produced a first attempt at common electronic data formats. The formats, however, were only for purchasing, transportation and finance data, and were used primarily for intra-industry transactions. It was not until the late 1970s that work began for national Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards, which developed well into the early 1990s. EDI is the electronic transfer of a standardised business transaction between a sender and receiver computer, over some kind of privatenetwork or value added network (VAN). Both sides would have to have the same application software and the data would be exchanged in an extremely rigorous format

          ----------------------------------    THANK YOU---------------

REFERENCEs

1 D. Obul Reddy(March 2007)-“ REVITALISING COMMERCE EDUCATION “-   Commerce with Farm Management, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore on invitation.

2.G. V. Kokklki(201“ Industry and commerce education – a strength and weakness analysiIndian Journals.com

3. Vladimir Zwass –“ Introduction to e-commerce”     Editor-in-chief of International Journal of Electronic Commerce

4.Stephan R. r Curvey(     “ Principle centered Leadership”Mahatma Gandhi- Seven Deadly sins as per mahatma Gandhi”-   Simon  R.schuste ltd. London