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http://hdl.handle.net/1942/13472
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Title: | E-Commerce |
Authors: | Vancauteren, Mark |
Issue Date: | 2011 |
Publisher: | United Nations |
Citation: | Bull, Peter (Ed.). The Impact of Globalization on National Accounts, p. 249-264 |
Series/Report: | ECE/CES |
Series/Report no.: | 14 |
Abstract: | International e-commerce, which
involves cross-border transactions over the
internet, shows every sign of continuing to expand
rapidly. The potential savings of transaction costs
from e-commerce are substantial. The most
important cost-saving aspect of e-commerce is the
reduction in travel, administration, communication
and search costs. One consequence of such cost
advantages is that many small cross-border
transactions have now become economic. In
addition, e-commerce has also made possible new
kinds of trade in services. While the growth of cross-border e-commerce is widely acknowledged, it imposes
measurement challenges for international trade
statistics. This chapter begins with definitional and
conceptual issues related to e-commerce, which
falls into two transactional categories: products
ordered and delivered via electronic means, and
products ordered electronically but delivered
physically. Various definitions of e-commerce exist.
For instance, “electronic means” is a broad term
that includes both the internet and a range of other
computer-based networks. The statistical challenge
of measuring e-commerce and how it may affect
national accounts is the main topic of this chapter.
The globalization aspect of e-commerce accounts
for part of the measurement challenge. Before
discussing the implications for different areas of
national accounts and related statistics
(international trade, consumer prices,
transportation margins, etc.), the chapter considers
what economic benefits lead firms and consumers
to engage in e-commerce, and its economic effects. Annex 13.1 to this chapter describes
initiatives on e-commerce by Statistics
Netherlands. This country experience offers further
insights into the practical difficulties presented by
e-commerce to compilers of national accounts. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/13472 |
Link to publication: | http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/stats/groups/wggna/Guide_on_Impact_of_globalization_on_national_accounts_FINAL21122011.pdf |
Category: | B3 |
Type: | Book Section |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications
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