Information Technology Penetration and E-commerce Developments in Greece, With a Focus on Small to Medium-sized Enterprises

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) revolutionizes both global economies and marketplaces. A number of developed countries have demonstrated clear leadership in e-commerce, as demonstrated by the level of ICT penetration in organizations and households. However, traditional economies have experienced a much slower uptake of e-commerce. This is attributed to difficulties in enhancing the usage of personal computers and in increasing the utilization of the Internet and Information Communications Technologies (ICTs) throughout their production mechanisms. This paper concentrates on Greece and demonstrates a number of indicators that synthesize the level of e-commerce penetration. The Greek economy is going through a major transformation and ICTs may be instrumental in its international competitiveness. The paper provides a comprehensive overview from both the production/supply (macro and micro) and consumption/demand sides. It focuses on the level of ICT penetration in small and medium-sized enterprises and concludes that e-commerce in Greece is still in its infancy. The paper provides essential background information for enterprises and policy makers interested in e-commerce in Greece and the competitiveness of the country in general.