The applicability of website assurance services in Malta

Abstract

The e-Commerce market is expanding at an accelerated rate. Nevertheless, many believe that this new business arena will not reach its full potential until customers perceive that the risks of doing business electronically have been reduced to an acceptable level. A website seal of assurance symbolizes the provision of assurance to online shoppers that the service providers, together with their tools and systems in use, are functioning in accordance with accepted criteria fore-Commerce integrity and security. Malta is one of the very few countries whose auditors do not offer website assurance services. By means of three questionnaires and a number of interviews, this dissertation investigated whether website assurance services constitute an unexploited market in Malta. The study commences with a brief discussion on now the changing commercial and social environment is causing a shift in demand for auditors' services. Subsequently it embarks on an explanation on the growth of local e-Commerce and how this is expected to continue into the future. Particular emphasis is placed on how the need for security in local e-Commerce is paramount since fear of lack of security and privacy is holding companies back from reaping the benefits this technology brings to their business. This work concludes that the presence of website assurance seals will give local e-Commerce a push in the right direction.