The Broad and Narrow Definition of E-Commerce

Electronic commerce is neither a new phenomenon nor a phenomenon that is easy to define and even less easy to assess. First of all, we are faced with the diversity of definitions and, hence, of measures. The broadest definitions encompass activities related to the network infrastructure, both hardware, and software, which underpin the functioning of the Internet: routers, servers, network administration software, and software platforms. Another broad definition of electronic commerce includes all electronic transactions, including credit card transactions and the infrastructure necessary for electronic commerce operation. Finally, a more restrictive definition is limited to the purchases and sales of goods and services made over the Internet, whether paid for or not, delivered or not delivered online. These different definitions make it difficult to monitor the development of business activities on the Internet and identify the factors necessary for achieving higher competitiveness in this sector. This introductory chapter focuses on reviewing existing definitions of digital entrepreneurship in the scientific literature and international documents. By identifying reoccurring characteristics, we propose a set of factors that can increase a company’s competitiveness in the online environment if proper measures are put in place.