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Essay on E-commerce and the Global Market

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Electronic commerce (e-commerce) over the Internet is the fastest growing method for consumers to conduct business. Less than ten years old and it already has radically altered the potential to economic activities and the social environment. There are nearly 200 million Internet users worldwide currently. Of these 200 million users, roughly 40 percent reside in the United States (Styliano, A., Robbins, S. & Jackson, P., 2003). E-commerce currently affects large sectors such as communications, banking and the retail industry. E-commerce has also had an effect on the education, health and government (Wyckoff, A., & Colecchia A., 1999). It is predicted that commerce on the Internet could total tens of billions of dollars by the turn …show more content…

exports alone (Jones, B., n.d.). E-commerce allows consumers to have more suppliers, sometimes including foreign suppliers. Consumers can now search online to find the lowest price. E-commerce has made the global marketplace larger which makes the marketplace become more competitive. The increase in competition is advantageous to consumers. The increased competition lowers prices for consumers and other businesses. Further, the increase in information and choice available can help increase the efficiency of the supply and demand equilibrium (Electronic Commerce, n.d.). The increase in competition also forces companies to become more efficient. As e-commerce grows, other countries are increasing their participation in the global digital economy. Companies now have to introduce new technologies or methods to reduce overhead costs and increase productivity which is also brings lower prices to consumers.
The leading products in both the business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets are electronically delivered products such as software, travel services, entertainment, and finance (Windham, L. & Orton, K., 2000). Due to the nature of such products, business is increased globally. Business-to business markets are growing quickly because e-commerce has a significant impact on overhead cost reduction and business efficiency. Businesses that use the Internet to buy, sell, distribute and maintain products and services are realizing significant

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