Similar to cultural differences, de

Similar to cultural differences, developed, and developing economies vary in how EC is used and whether the economies favor electronic commerce. Developing economies struggle with various issues taken for granted inn developed economies.
Developing economies often face power blackouts, unreliable shipments, unstable political and social environments, lack of regulations that protect customers and insufficient payment options. Such limitations make it difficult for firms to predict whether EC investments will pay off, and when. However, developing economies, such as in China and India, represent a significant opportunity for EC to connect businesses to customers, as well as other businesses. The potential volume of transactions in developed countries can make EC investments more attractive for established firms. This is because much of the cost of EC systems development would have already been recovered because EC initiatives frequently can use existing IT infrastructures.
The traditional EC assumption is that every computer user has the ability to own a computer and afford Internet connection, as is the case in developed economies. In developing economies, this assumption will have to be revised to include the existence infrastructure, poverty levels, and technology availability and affordability. The payoffs from EC use in developing countries are likely to go beyond financial retuns. Enabling people to take advantage of EC techonology without disrupting their traditions may be the most valuable, yet intangible, return.
A major booster for EC in developing countries is the increasing use of low-cost laptop computers and tablets in a wireless environment. With simple computers costing less than $100 ( and declining in 2014), and the widespread use of cell phones with Internet access and free access in public places, it is likely that EC use will increase significantly in developing countries. For comprehensive coverage of e-commerce in developing countries, see Sanayei (2010).
As discussed in chapter 6, the mobile revolution enables developing countries to leap frog EC deployment, especially in the areas of mobile banking (finance) and mobile marketing.