Introduction

color photograph of shipping port with Miami Beach in the background — Carol M. Highsmith, photographer. Aerial view of the shipping-container port in Miami, Florida. 2019. Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division.

E-commerce refers to the sale or promotion of goods and services over the internet. E-commerce transactions can be business to business (B2B) or business to consumer (B2C).

You can find a definition of e-commerce and related terms on the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration website.

E-commerce has transformed global commerce, and its percentage of retail sales continues to grow. E-commerce is now deeply ingrained in a wide range of B2B and B2C businesses and corporations. You may need to research specific industries or companies to learn how e-commerce fits into larger strategies, operations and business goals. E-commerce touches on broad issues such as business logistics, supply chains, marketing, big data, privacy, and artificial intelligence (AI).

This guide will point to general resources on e-commerce as well as more specific resources on e-commerce marketing and management. There is also information on related regulations and government resources as well the history of e-commerce. Information on digital transactions, digital currency, cryptocurrency and blockchain technology can be found in the FinTech: Financial Technology Research Guide.

Related Library of Congress Research Guides

Fintech: Financial Technology Research Guide This guide provides information on Financial technology, otherwise known as FinTech, is the technology and innovation that aims to compete with the traditional delivery of financial services.

Business Logistics and Supply Chain Management This is a guide to the literature about managing supply chains and technological innovations affecting business logistics.

Marketing Industry: A Resource Guide This guide provides links to print and online resources for publications, associations, agencies, regulations, and data sources in the field of marketing.

Influencer Marketing: A Research Guide This guide provides links to print and online resources for publications, associations, agencies, regulations, and data sources in the field of marketing.

Doing Industry Research: A Resource Guide This guide is designed as a starting point for those looking for current information on industries. In addition, some historical sources are also included.

Doing Company Research: A Resource Guide This guide provides ideas and strategies for researching companies, with a focus on more common sources that may be of use for those looking for information on companies that are active.

About the Business Section

Part of the Science & Business Reading Room at the Library of Congress, the Business Section is the starting point for conducting research at the Library of Congress in the subject areas of business and economics. Here, reference specialists in specific subject areas of business assist patrons in formulating search strategies and gaining access to the information and materials contained in the Library's rich collections of business and economics materials.

Science & Business Reading Room
Submit a question through our Ask a Librarian service, call us at 202-707-5639, or visit us in person on the fifth floor of the John Adams building in Washington, D.C. Learn more about conducting research in the Science and Business Reading Room.

E-Commerce: A Research Guide

Business Reference: Ask a Librarian

Follow Us