Information Society Watch

November 2000, Michael Gurstein, Sustainable Development Dimensions

This article first outlines the advantages and components of e-Commerce, and then goes on to examine the relationship between e-Commerce and the Community Economic Development (CED) sector. It is argued that the CED sector must take advantage of the opportunities for local development presented by e-Commerce. The author delves into the question of how local communities can adapt new technologies along with the necessary methodology or business models to make e-Commerce sustainable. He presents some examples of e-Commerce business models along with ways that they are or could be used for CED, which include: The web-site as an online billboard; portals and traffic-builders; a "Service" model for adding value; virtual communities; brokering or facilitating transactions; auctions or dynamic pricing; and e-Money. The author concludes that e-Commerce holds great potential to improve CED growth.

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