Introduction to Electronic Commerce and Social Commerce

Abstract

Electronic commerce (EC) describes the manner in which transactions take place over networks, mostly the Internet. It is the process of electronically buying and selling goods, services, and information. Certain EC applications—such as buying and selling stocks and airline tickets on the Internet—are growing very rapidly, exceeding non-Internet trades. But EC is not just about buying and selling; it is also about electronically communicating, col- laborating, and discovering information. It is about e-learning, e-government, e-health, social networks, and much more. Electronic commerce has an impact on a significant portion of the world, including developing countries, affecting businesses, professions, and most impor- tantly people.