Electronic commerce is a part of the daily life of many people today. However, this proliferation of this activity does not mean that the global eCommerce system is devoid of flaws and weaknesses. Despite constant technological advances, one of the barriers limiting access to the global marketplace is the lack of user trust in electronic transactions (“Dismantling the barriers,” 1997). Any high technology cannot exclude this human factor since people are inclined to perceive new trends and proposals with caution and distrust. The main reason for this is doubts about the reliability of such systems, which, just like real-time mechanisms, can be hacked or deceived.
Since this barrier is associated with the peculiarities of human consciousness, it cannot be classified as a pure company or state problem. In this case, both of these parties can influence the formation of mistrust among end-users. The emergence of a new firm that offers great deals will naturally raise suspicion. On the other hand, the situation in the country can generally impede the connection of users with the global eCommerce system by, for example, structural unreliability. However, since companies are closer to users than the government, they need to implement solutions to reduce this barrier. Possible resolutions include collaboration with other, better-known organizations and developing measures that increase user interest and confidence in the company. For example, if users are attracted by favorable initial rates and are willing to take risks, they will be pleasantly surprised to learn about the level of reliability of the company. This approach will help spread a positive image of the organization further, forming an idea of safety and comfort in using services.
I agree with the post’s author and want to comment on a few essential details in this text. Access to information infrastructure is one of the most important factors limiting access to the global e-commerce market. At the moment, the problem is that the information structures associated with this system are incredibly vast and confusing. Simultaneously, many companies do not seek to facilitate interaction with this system, which, in turn, repels potential users. Therefore, I want to point out that to remove this barrier, it is necessary not only to develop and implement policies but also to raise the education of people in this area. With more trained people, the process of removing barriers will be much faster, even without government assistance.
Reference
Dismantling the barriers to global electronic commerce. (1997). OECD. Web.