Interactive commerce history: QUBE is an early example of which category of information systems focused on interactive consumer transactions?

Introduction / Context:
Before the Web became mainstream, several initiatives explored interactive television and online shopping concepts. QUBE was a pioneering interactive TV service that allowed viewers to participate in polls and make purchases, foreshadowing today’s e-commerce platforms. This question asks you to identify the system category exemplified by QUBE.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• QUBE involved consumer interaction via terminals/TV remotes.
• Primary use included shopping-like interactions in addition to entertainment.
• We classify by business function, not by underlying network protocols.

Concept / Approach:
Systems that enable consumers to browse, select, and purchase goods electronically are electronic shopping systems, a subset of e-commerce. QUBE’s interactive purchasing and response capabilities place it in that category rather than problem-solving or operational inventory systems.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical overviews of interactive TV cite QUBE’s shopping experiments as precursors to teleshopping and later web-based e-commerce.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing the delivery medium (TV vs. web) with the business function (shopping); the category is defined by function.

Final Answer:
electronic shopping