Essay E-Commerce and Vladimir Zwass - 2877 Words

E-Commerce E-Commerce is a shortened word which means Electronic-Commerce. Vladimir Zwass (2001) defines E-Commerce as the process of carrying out business transactions by the use of telecommunication networks. It involves sharing business information and maintaining business relationships. E- Commerce started as early as 1948 during the Berlin airlift in the form of electronic transmissions (Seideman, 1996). E-Commerce later developed into electronic data interchange (EDI) and in the 1960s, industries cooperated to produce common electronic data formats. These formats were however only used in purchasing, transportation and finance at the intra industry level transactions. National EDI standards were later developed in late 1970s and†¦show more content†¦It is claimed that e-commerce is more advanced in the USA than in Europe (Sagepub, 2011). Proper understanding of the key drivers of e-commerce will help in the comparisons of the different countries so as to create a concrete base of unequal advancement of e-commerce in the various regions. These drivers are the external factors affecting the e-commerce and are outlined as the PEST factors, standing for Political, Economical, Social and Technological factors. Political Factors The degree of advancement of e-commerce in a country is very much dependent on the government of the country. This involves the government’s support on e-commerce through creation of legislations, initiative and its support on the use and development of e-commerce. The political factors that drive e-commerce include; government incentives, legislations and policies Economical factors The use of e-commerce in a country depends on the wealth of a country. E-commerce requires expensive facilities which dictate or may limit poor countries to use it efficiently. The economic factors that drive e-commerce include; economic growth, average income of the citizens, cost of using telecommunication services and the cost of telecommunication facilities. Social factors Knowledge of the computer and the Information Technology is a major factor that enables buyers and sellers to efficiently use the e-commerce. This