E-commerce in developing countries

Description:

E-commerce (business-to-business:B2B) is widely believed to promise a radical change in the way that companies trade with one another. B2B e-commerce applications are being promoted as tools that will enable companies in developing countries to reduce their costs substantially, thereby easing their access to global markets. The vision of B2B e-commerce is driven by a simple idea. The Internet provides an open global network and access to it is relatively cheap. Internet-based B2B e-commerce should help companies or governments in developing countries obtain better information on global markets and give them direct access to new customers. However, it is uncertain that e-commerce would reduce or extend the gap between rich and poor countries.

Enablers:

Factors which strengthen this driving force. 

1. Technologies, such as wireless, XML

2. International aid

3. Low costs

Inhibitors:

Factors which weaken this driving force. (these are actually other driving forces, and you can link to them in the wiki!)

1. Physical or institutional infrastructure

2. Low awareness levels of managers or goverment administrators

3. Culture: the preferences for traditional forms of communication

4. The difficulties of establishing the quality standards of projects using electronic means of communication

Paradigms:

Old: The power of global buyers, rich countries.

New: A radical shift in the way in which companies or governments trade with each other. New and cheap access to global markets are available.

Experts:

Sources for additional information about this driving force. (if you have found people, put the links to them)

Timing:

Dates for key milestones in the development of the driving force.

Web Resources:

E-Commerce for Developing Countries: impact, obstacles and polices