E-commerce – Features, Drivers, Factors, Issues, Applications

E-commerce is the use of electronic communication and digital information processing technology in business transactions to create, transform and redefine relationships for value creation between or among organisations and individuals.

It simply refers to the buying and selling of products, services and information via computer networks including internet.

E-commerce is concerned with system and business processes that support –

• creation of information sources
• movement of information over global networks
• effective and efficient interaction among producers, consumers, intermediaries and seller

It utilizes electronic networks to implement daily economic activities such as pricing, payments, contracting, shipping and delivery.

Features of E commerce →

1. Ubiquity – It is everywhere i.e. e-commerce is not restricted to a physical place.
2. Global reach – It is possible to conduct business transactions worldwide.
3. Universal Standards – E-commerce makes use of Internet and World Wide Web to reach customers which has the same technical standards worldwide.
4. Richness – E-commerce provides rich content in form of interactive graphics, videos, animations etc.
5. Interactive –A two way communication between business and customers is possible.
6. Personalisation and customization – It allows for personalization and customization of products.
7. Information density – E-commerce technologies provide useful and quality information thereby reducing information costs.

Driving forces behind E commerce

The Major Driving forces behind the growth of E-commerce are 

• Global Customers – Presense of customers of a product worldwide.
• Global Products – Demand for foriegn products by customers.
• Global Operations – Development of Transnational and Multinational Corporations
• Global Resources – Use of foreign raw material, labour, machines for production 
• Global Collaborations – Joint ventures, Mergers, Strategic Alliances 
• Global Competition – Race to capture market share in developing countries

Factors Affecting E-commerce –

Key drivers of e-commerce  may be categorized in terms of  4 key business environment factors which influence the e-commerce industry. They are

1. Technological Factors –

• State of telecommunication infrastructure
• Access to new technological developments
• Bandwidth availability and Internet rates

2. Political Factors –  

• Number and type of government initiatives to support use and development of modern technology
• Discouraging rules and regulations of the government
• Ability of the government to to adapt and plan for technological growth and development

3. Social Factors –

• Literacy level of the people and penetration rate of PC`s 
• Number of internet users  
• Willingness and ability of the people to adopt new technology

4. Economic Factors – 

• Economic growth of the country 
• Average income of the people
• Cost of Hardware and Software
• Cost of access to telecom infrastructure
• Commercial Structure and Innovative 

Traditional Commerce Vs E-commerce

Issues in implementing E Commerce

Advantages of E commerce  

Advantages to business –

1. Increased potential market share and global reach
2. It is easy to expand market with minimal capital outlay
3. It enables a business to procure material and services from other companies
4. It shortens or even eliminates marketing distribution channels, making products cheaper and vendor’s profit higher
5. It enables customization of products
6. Low cost advertising cost and entry barriers
7. It allows lower inventories and other cost savings like cost of creating, processing, distributing, storing and retrieving paper based information
8. No 24 hour time constraint
9. It is easier to launch a new product online

Advantages to Consumers –

• It enables 24/7 access
• It saves time, money and effort
• It provides more choices i.e. wide range of products and services
• Price and Product comparisons are available online
• Improved buying experience and delivery processing
• It provides a global market place
• It enables personalization and customization of products and services
• Customer enjoy benefits of a competitive environment

A typical E-Commerce Model –

Business Applications of E commerce –

E-commerce Models –