Contact:
Created by Deborah Harrington, Texas A&M University
The Committee reviews this guide on a three-year cycle. To report broken links, please send an email to rusa@ala.org and put “BRASS Education Committee” in the subject line.
Scope:
Electronic commerce is defined as "a type of business model, or segment of a larger business model, that enables a firm or individual to conduct business over an electronic network, typically the internet" (Investopedia).
Electronic commerce (e-commerce) researchers can have a variety of needs: mechanics of how to do business on the Internet (web hosting and design); statistics about users and traffic; marketing strategies for the medium; and, future trends.
Suggested Searches:
e-commerce, ecommerce, Ecommerce, electronic commerce, web commerce, cyber commerce, e-business,online commerce, internet retailing, web retailing
Narrower: internet advertising, internet marketing, mobile commerce, m commerce, m-commerce
Related: internet sales, internet stores, internet strategy, online shopping, virtual economy
Possible 2017 NAICS Codes
454110 - Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses
425110 - Business to Business Electronic Markets
519130 - Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals
Possible 2022 NAICS Codes
455219 - Internet retail sales sites (except department store, warehouse club, and supercenter sites), new general merchandise
455211 - Internet supercenter/warehouse club sites
455110 - Internet Department Store Sites
459510 - Internet retail sales sites, used general merchandise
*The 2022 NAICS does not distinguish between online and brick-and-mortar, so the codes above also apply to their physical counterparts, as well.
Related LibGuides
General E-commerce Reference:
Dictionary of E-Business by ISBN: 9780470844700Publication Date: 2003Presents entries on Java, XML, CustomerRelationship Management, mCommerce and more technical language of eBusiness (e.g. security); Demonstrates clear applications to both technical and business markets
Encyclopedia of E-Commerce, E-Government and Mobile Commerce by ISBN: 1591407990Publication Date: 2006Topics include e-collaboration technologies and applications, e-commerce technologies and applications, e-commerce management and social issues, e-government technologies and applications, e-government management and social issues, e-healthcare technologies and applications, e-learning technologies and applications, e-technologies security and privacy, mobile commerce technologies and applications, mobile commerce management and social issues, virtual communities and enterprises, and web portals and services.
Gale E-Commerce Sourcebook by ISBN: 0787674214Publication Date: 2012Includes "how to" topics, directory information, and top e-commerce companies worldwide.
General E-commerce News & Periodicals:
- CIO Research ReportsWhite papers, articles and analyses of interest to CIO's readership—CIOs and IT executives who are responsible for steering and managing their organization's technology.
- ClickZ NewsProvides news, research and statistics on the interactive marketing world.
- Ecommerce TimesAn e-business and technology news site.
- International Journal of Electronic Commerce"The International Journal of Electronic Commerce is the leading refereed quarterly devoted to advancing the understanding and practice of electronic commerce. It serves the needs of researchers as well as practitioners and executives involved in electronic commerce. The Journal aims to offer an integrated view of the field by presenting approaches of multiple disciplines."
- Internet Retailer/Digital Commerce 360Covers the market trends, technology, competitive practices and people that are shaping the e-commerce industry. Some content freely available.
General E-commerce Websites:
- Congressional Research Service Reports on Intellectual Property, Cyberlaw and Electronic CommerceThe Franklin Pierce Law Center IP Mall posts selected Congressional Research Service reports on intellectual property, cyberlaw and electronic commerce topics. The Congressional Research Service (of the Library of Congress) writes analyses of public policy issues, especially of legislative proposals, for use by Congressmen. CRS does not provide its reports directly to the public.
- The Center for Research in Electronic CommerceThe CREC, formerly CISM, at the University of Texas at Austin has been the leading research institution in generating critical knowledge and understanding in the fields of Information Systems and Management, Electronic Commerce and the Digital Economy.
- Think with GoogleKeep up with what’s new and what’s next in digital media and marketing.
- Practical EcommerceIndex to articles and other resources for web marketing and e-commerce. Categories include search engines, social media, conversion, design, and platforms.
General E-commerce Organizations & Associations:
- Federal Communications CommissionThe FCC regulates interstate and international communication by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. The FCC website includes reports, statistics, trends, and rules and regulations.
