Challenges and Opportunities of Electronic Commerce in the Context of Global Pandemics

Abstract

The global pandemic COVID-19 has changed almost all aspects of society. It has been shown that every company, institution, organization, and even individuals must be digital if they want to function. Physical interruption of business needed involvement of digital technology in order to ensure business continuity. Consumers around the world are changing existing shopping habits, and the closure policy, which has been in place in many countries, has led to the only safe and acceptable form of shopping - online shopping. Therefore, many, who have not sold products via the Internet so far, have seen a chance for business survival, and existing participants in the electronic market have rapidly developed their business. The pandemic can be considered a catalyst for the development of electronic commerce, but the development and growth of all indicators of electronic commerce is a long-term and continuous trend. The problem and goal of the research is to identify key trends in the application of electronic commerce before the pandemic and during the pandemic, as well as to define key changes that will affect the further development of electronic commerce. As a result of the research, recommendations for further development of electronic commerce in post-pandemic and new normal conditions will be presented.