Electronic commerce growth in developing countries: Barriers and challenges

As we enter the third millennium, we are experiencing one of the most important changes to our daily lives, the move to an Internet-based society. Internet has grown like a plant, and many welcome it as a tool for productivity and enlightenment. As a result, much has changed at home, school, work and even leisure activities. Some changes are already here and are spreading around the globe, others are just beginning. One of the significant changes is how developing countries are going to conduct their business and how can they harvest the benefits of Internet trading. This paper is a qualitative study that can provide the authorities, business owners, researchers as well as the readers with an overview of the current e-commerce status in Saudi Arabia and the major factors that obstacle its growth and development. It is hoped that this study will narrow the gap of knowledge and furnished useful guidelines that could unleash e-commerce maturity in Saudi Arabia and developing countries as well.