Global e-commerce consumer habits and perceived opportunity for professional realization of the first-year students in economics

South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Faculty of Economics, Department of Economics, 2700 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

^* Corresponding author: b_dimi@abv.bg

Abstract

Globalization is a process with serious implications for the well-being of humankind. The development of electronic technologies and hardware has led to the emergence and expansion of global e-commerce which allows people to meet their needs for certain goods and receive financial means to do that. This article points to the results of a study of online buying habits and perceived opportunity for professional realization in e-commerce of first-year students in Economics at a smaller economic faculty in Southeast Europe, born in the late Y generation, with a minimum period of higher education in majors other than e-commerce. The relationship with the education and training, required to carry out these activities was specifically sought. The method of self-administered survey was used. 58 usable questionnaires were collected. Results show that respondents buy online mostly clothes, shoes, cosmetics and electronics and pay usually by bank cards; the main reasons for this kind of purchasing being the lower price and non-availability of the goods otherwise. Only 12.07% of the respondents have conducted commercial sales via the Internet and out of them 57.1% are satisfied with the income, but only at the-pocket-money-level. 36.2% of all respondents are ready to seek training in order to be able to earn a living in this way, which points to a niche in the educational services market.