Platform-Enabled Commerce: Unlocking Economic Opportunity Through Independent Internationalisation of Small Enterprises

Abstract

Global trade is undergoing a fundamental transformation. It is no longer confined to container shipments of one company’s wares along predetermined trade corridors. Today, global trade also includes commerce by very small Internet-enabled enterprises connecting directly with customers in almost every country of the world. The internet and online commerce platforms have opened up an alternative way for the smallest enterprise to internationalise. When micro and small enterprises are capable of independently internationalising their operations by building direct relationships with customers across the world our current economic and social models are challenged. This article looks at one aspect of this change. It discusses the ability of small online commercial enterprises to adapt to the macro economy in ways large firms do.