Four visions of e‐commerce in Latin America in the year 2010 | CU Experts

AbstractExcitement is growing around the world about the Internet's potential to enable a global electronic; commerce. The reality, however, differs a great deal depending on what part of the world we consider. In Latin; America, the e‐commerce theme is often found in the popular press portraying it as a solution for; multiple national problems and as a catalyst to propel the region to a stronger position in the world economy.; Unfortunately, many of the “new” capabilities required to harness the economic benefit of; e‐commerce, which emphasize value‐adding steps performed through and with information, are very; scarce in the region. This article raises questions about Latin America's ability to exploit the Internet,; and to implement and capitalize on e‐commerce applications. It underscores the region's need to; engage in a future planning discourse about the adoption of e‐commerce within organizations, communities,; and across traditional boundaries of competition and national borders. To start the dialogue, four scenarios are; presented as “future snapshots” written from the vantage point of the year 2010. Each scenario; considers issues regarding technological adoption and potential social responses, and discusses some of the; critical assumptions about patterns observed in the region today and their implications for the future. ©; 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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