What does electronic commerce (e-commerce) refer to?

Electronic commerce, often referred to as e-commerce, is primarily associated with the integration of communication and data management to facilitate buying and selling goods and services over the Internet. This encompasses various activities that allow businesses and consumers to conduct transactions online, leveraging technology to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of commerce.

In this context, e-commerce involves the processing of transactions via digital platforms and includes elements such as online banking, electronic payment systems, and secure data transactions—all integrated to deliver a comprehensive service. This integration facilitates seamless communication between buyers and sellers, as well as effective management of the data necessary for those transactions.

While the other choices mention aspects related to digital transactions or online marketing, they do not encapsulate the full scope of e-commerce. For example, data analysis can play a role in e-commerce but is not its primary definition; secure data exchange focuses specifically on security, which is a component of e-commerce but not its entirety; and Internet marketing strategy pertains more to the promotional aspect of e-commerce rather than the transactional processes at its core.