ELECTRONIC COMMERCE IN THE WORLD ECONOMY: ORIGINS AND FACTORS OF EXPANSION

Abstract

The article deals with the issues of international trade development at the current stage. Emphasis is placed on the root causes that determined the emergence of e-commerce and its rapid dynamics. It is argued that three groups of factors influence these processes: economic, technological, and social. The key prerequisites for scaling were globalization and the development of information and communication technologies. The globalization of the world economy, competition among enterprises in national and international markets, and rising income levels of the population contribute to the development of online trade. The stages of e-commerce development in the global economy are identified, as well as its impact on consumer market behavior. It is emphasized that e-commerce has evolved from the exchange of electronic data between companies to a global digital sales system encompassing billions of consumers and constituting an important component of the modern economy. It is argued that the key characteristics of e-commerce at the current stage are: rapid growth driven by changes in consumer behavior; integration of new digital technologies; active development of mobile and social commerce; use of artificial intelligence, automation, and cloud services; and the growth of global online marketplaces and digital platforms. The importance of forming global electronic trading platforms that unite manufacturers, sellers, and consumers from different countries is highlighted. Such platforms create new opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to participate in international trade without significant financial costs. The further integration of national economies promotes the development of e-commerce, and modern businesses actively use it to sell goods and services. Emphasis is placed on the importance of developing digital infrastructure, increasing internet access, improving electronic payment systems, and expanding logistics networks. The unique properties of e-commerce that determine its dynamics in the modern economy are highlighted. It is established that an important factor is the development of electronic payment systems and financial technologies, which ensure the speed, security, and convenience of online payments.