Despite a rash of dot-com closings and constant change in the interpretation of what the Internet means to small businesses, a new report shows the potential of global e-commerce.
The 2001 World E-Commerce and Internet Market Report (WECIM) conducted by META group, measured the e-commerce potentail and readiness of 47 countries. The report evaluated countries on five indicators: financial transactions, literacy/education, market potential, globalisation and technological sophistication.
"Despite the cooling of the global economy and digital-divide problems in many countries, e-commerce development is moving forward in the majority of countries surveyed", says Howard Rubin, author of the study and META group research fellow.

"There is still good reason for businesses that have invested heavily in e-commerce development to be optimistic in terms of international marketing." While the United States ranks as the best country in which to initiate e-commerce, Scandinavian countries have high rates of online financial transaction, technological sophistication, education and economic literacy. Britain also generated high marks in these categories. Canada finished solidly in most new-economy categories and is also considered a good e-commerce investment. If you're looking to invest in e-commerce, South Korea and Malaysia are making positive strides, while Brazil shows potential as a place to conduct e-commerce in the near future.
For more information about the WECIM, visit www.metricnet.com/specials/wecim.html