Development of Electronic Commerce in Spanish-Speaking Latin America

This paper surveys management and policy issues concerning the development of electronic commerce in Spanish-speaking Latin America. The region has the world’s fastest growth rate of Internet connectivity, and firms in several countries are positioning themselves to quickly take advantage of electronic commerce. Presently, electronic commerce capability is concentrated among export-oriented firms and firms catering to highincome consumers. The region’s telecommunications infrastructure is being improved, but Latin America has weak mechanisms to diffuse electronic commerce capabilities among small and medium firms. Payment security is regarded as the major current policy issue. Other policy issues that must be addressed include the supply of management and technical skills and the use of e-commerce in the public sector.