E-Commerce And Digital Libraries: Exploring The Future Of Information Access In The Digital Economy

Abstract

This study explores the intersection of e-commerce platforms and digital libraries, focusing on their role in enhancing information access in the digital economy. As digital content becomes increasingly commercialized, the balance between open access and paid services presents a challenge for equitable content distribution. The research aimed to investigate user experiences with both platforms, analyzing key factors such as accessibility, user satisfaction, and the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain. A mixed-methods approach was employed, using quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather data from 550 participants. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, correlation analysis, and thematic analysis were utilized to interpret the data. The findings reveal a significant association between age groups and e-commerce usage frequency, with younger users being more frequent users. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between the frequency of digital library usage and user satisfaction with accessibility. The thematic analysis highlighted key issues such as cost barriers, the role of emerging technologies, and concerns over privacy and digital rights. Based on the results, the study recommends creating more flexible pricing models and fostering collaborations between digital libraries and e-commerce platforms. These findings contribute to understanding how the future of information access can be shaped through the strategic integration of commercial and open-access platforms, with a focus on accessibility, sustainability, and technology adoption.