E-Commerce Contribution to Economic Growth: The Case of Thailand

Abstract

As the trend of ICT development is gaining larger influence over countries’ development and growth, e-commerce plays an important role in enhancing the growth of several developed and developing economies over the 21st century. This paper aims to build the analytical base to support the importance of the development of e-commerce. This is by investigating the role and contribution of e-commerce to economic growth and development. The paper first investigates past contribution of e-commerce to economic growth in developed countries. Second, past research findings and framework are utilized to investigate the contribution of e-commerce towards economic growth focusing on the case of e-commerce in Thailand. The study found that e-commerce plays an important role in enhancing economic growth of Thailand. Two important findings had supported the growth of e-commerce. First is the increase in sales generated by the use of e-commerce. Second, e-commerce induces productivity development of firms through higher competition and innovation.