Analysis of development and effects of electronic trade in Serbia based on SF-TOPSIS and TOPSIS methods

Abstract

The issues of measuring and analysing the development dynamics and effects of electronic trade are currently topical, significant and complex in any country, including Serbia. In the observed period from 2017 to 2021, according to the obtained empirical results based on the SF TOPSIS method, the largest number of trading companies introducing e-business (IT technology) and e-trading appeared in Serbia in 2017. According to the obtained empirical results based on the classical TOPSIS method, the largest number of trading companies introducing e-business (IT technology) and e-trading was recorded in Serbia in 2019. The following is the ranking according to the SF-TOPSIS method: 2021, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The ranking according to the TOPSIS method is as follows: 2020, 2021, 2018 and 2017. The digitalisation factors of overall business operation of trade industry in Serbia are the global trend and requirements, degree of development of contemporary IT technology and the possibility of application in all the segments of trading operations, the economic climate, financial opportunities, entry of international retail chains, development of multichannel sale-classic and e-retail facilities, around-the clock business operations without time and geographical barriers etc. Considering the positive effects, significantly more should be invested in new information and communication technology in the future.