Foundation of Electronic Commerce
Model-of-Use
DIGITAL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
DEVELOPMENT
5
Michael Tetelman
Michael Teleman was Senior
Program Officer,Technology
Access and Application for the
LearnLink Project.
Foundations of
Electronic Commerce
Overview
E-commerce, a prime driver of the global economy, has changed business processes worldwide, increasing logistical efficiencies and facilitating the buying, selling, and marketing of goods. Similarly, e-commerce has benefited millions of consumers through decreased prices, increased competition, and faster order and delivery times.
Large and small companies across multiple industries depend on e-commerce applications to survive and compete in local, national, and global economies. These companies use e-mail to communicate with customers and suppliers and the
Internet to handle marketing and electronic transaction processing and settlement. They rely on myriad hardware and software solutions to manage large databases and carry out sophisticated analysis of complex business operations, support back office automation, assist document sharing, and facilitate communication with clients, customers and colleagues.
While e-commerce has advanced most rapidly in developed countries, companies in developing countries increasingly use e-commerce to strengthen their core business practices and spin off new businesses. In Asia, for example, the e-commerce solutions market looks to grow at an annual rate of 24 percent, while Latin America’s online retail revenues were expected to more than double between 2000 and 2001. In short, e-commerce will continue to transform business – and societies more broadly - on a global scale irrespective of geography, topography, gender, ethnicity, or nationality. This transformation is likely to intensify and companies in developing countries must become versatile in at least basic e-commerce applications if they are to participate in the global economy.
E-Commerce
275
5
DIGITAL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
DEVELOPMENT
5
Michael Tetelman
Michael Teleman was Senior
Program Officer,Technology
Access and Application for the
LearnLink Project.
Foundations of
Electronic Commerce
Overview
E-commerce, a prime driver of the global economy, has changed business processes worldwide, increasing logistical efficiencies and facilitating the buying, selling, and marketing of goods. Similarly, e-commerce has benefited millions of consumers through decreased prices, increased competition, and faster order and delivery times.
Large and small companies across multiple industries depend on e-commerce applications to survive and compete in local, national, and global economies. These companies use e-mail to communicate with customers and suppliers and the
Internet to handle marketing and electronic transaction processing and settlement. They rely on myriad hardware and software solutions to manage large databases and carry out sophisticated analysis of complex business operations, support back office automation, assist document sharing, and facilitate communication with clients, customers and colleagues.
While e-commerce has advanced most rapidly in developed countries, companies in developing countries increasingly use e-commerce to strengthen their core business practices and spin off new businesses. In Asia, for example, the e-commerce solutions market looks to grow at an annual rate of 24 percent, while Latin America’s online retail revenues were expected to more than double between 2000 and 2001. In short, e-commerce will continue to transform business – and societies more broadly - on a global scale irrespective of geography, topography, gender, ethnicity, or nationality. This transformation is likely to intensify and companies in developing countries must become versatile in at least basic e-commerce applications if they are to participate in the global economy.
E-Commerce
275
5
Bibliography: Hafkin, Nancy and Taggart, Nancy. (2001). Gender, Information Technology, and Developing Countries Liew, Melanie. (2002). “ASPs Suffer From ‘Sub-par’ Security. Malloy, Edward. (2002). “Electronic Commerce Policy:Toward Global Consensus on Principles.” Power Point presentation. Manget, Joe. (2002). “Competitive Advantages from Mobile Discusses the use of e-commerce amongst women, particularly Heeks, Richard. (2000). “Analyzing E-Commerce for Development.” www.iimhad.ernet.in/egov/ifip/dec2000.htm Helmkamp, Katrina and Monnery, Neil. (2002). “Strategic E-Triage: Identifying Essential E-Business Initiatives.” The Boston Mann, Catherine. (2000) Global Electronic Commerce: A Policy Primer Hof, Robert. (2002). “How E-Biz Rose, Fell, and will Rise Anew.” Business Week. Humphrey, John. (2002). “Business-to-Business E-commerce and Access to Global Markets: Exclusive or Inclusive Outcomes?” McConnell International. (2001). “Ready? Net. Go! Partnerships Leading the Global Economy.” Nua Internet Surveys. (2002). “Africa wired, but Internet Access Limited.” ITC. (2000) “SMEs and e-Trade: Some Implications of Going Digital.” ITC Executive Forum on National Export Strategies.