Factors influencing e-commerce development in Baltic rural areas

In this article author observing key factors influencing development of Internet and electronic commerce in Baltic countries. Author analysing statistic data for Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania and comparing different processes in politic, economic and social life of those countries during the last 24 years. Development of telecommunication infrastructure, information technologies and electro technic created absolutely new business environment where business development has a different rules and possibilities. New possibilities and challenges have a different usage in different counties. Even small time periods in development of telecommunication infrastructure can influence number of users of Internet and later on e-commerce as well. Lever of welfare in any country influencing usage of technologies and habits of population and adaptation to new business environment. Than better is economical situation in country than more active population and business environment are in new virtual environment. One of conclusions after analyse of statistic and author researches done in last 5 years in Baltic business area is that general level of education and specially level of digital literacy between different groups of population have a significant influence to usage of e-commerce. Than more countries involving in digital literacy of population and stimulating enterprises to adopt new knowledge and technologies that faster development of e-commerce in public and commercial areas. Governmental activities in development of electronic environment are very important not just to develop legislation, but create electronic services for citizens and business needs to intensify all processes and minimise administrative obstacles. Unfortunately as showing research in small and medium regional enterprises sector, SME are not ready to start business in virtual environment and to use all benefits of new environment. Main reasons are lack of special knowledge about possibilities in new environment, lack of free finances to start e-commerce activities and lack of specialists. From author point of view solution for this problem could be to intensify activities of NGO and local authorities to organize education on possibilities of business development in virtual environment to continue develop e-services for citizens and business.