Factors Contributing to the Development of E-Commerce by the Degree of use in Latvia

Abstract

Several studies have recognized that e-commerce can have a positive impact on any type of business, making enterprises work faster, more efficient and more economical. Taking into account different degrees of e-commerce use, it is important to analyse the factors contributing to the development of the e-commerce in respective enterprises, so decision-makers can develop the strategy accordingly.

Purpose of the study is to analyse the factors contributing to the development of the e-commerce in Latvia by the degree of use of e-commerce.

The tasks of the study:

1) to review theoretical background of factors contributing to the development of the e-commerce depending on the degree of use of e-commerce in the enterprise;

2) to review existing research of factors contribution to the development of the e-commerce in EU;

3) to analyse the results of conducted survey among Latvian entrepreneurs in context of factors contributing to the development of the e-commerce depending on the degree of use of e-commerce in the respective enterprises.

Research methods used in preparation of the paper: scientific publication and previous conducted research results analysis, analysis of the results of the survey on Latvian entrepreneurs. Survey results are analysed using indicators of descriptive statistics (indicators of central tendency or location - arithmetic mean, mode, median), indicators of variability (indicators of dispersion - range, standard deviation and standard error of mean), analysis of variance - ANOVA are used.

The survey showed that there are significant differences in the assessment of the groups of factors “Social factors” and “Regulatory factors” between entrepreneurs who take full advantage of e-commerce opportunities and those who do not use them at all. In order to promote the use of e-commerce possibilities, different trainings and programmes  are expected to be development to improve the  knowledge, skills and competences of  employers and employees  in the area of e-commerce.