Profiling EC internet presence : implications for e-commerce practice and research

With the recent re-vitalisation of E-Commerce (EC), we collected a sample of 363 EC sites in order to better understand current EC practice. We examined two dimensions of EC internet presence: e-business models and website functional features. The emerging profile reveals the more dominant e-business models and the extent that various types of website functions are actually practiced. These profiles of practice are then discussed in conjunction with the evolution of EC research, which is analysed through a review of 315 EC research papers. We found not only a general match between EC practice and research, but also identified certain areas that demand more attention from researchers. The findings should help to leverage the EC management and foster the decision making in EC resources allocation.