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Since 1992, a globalization process has come about. The growth of the Internet and the evolution of technology have transformed the way of conducting business. The use of Internet technology to market and deliver a company’s products and services over the Web has become known as the concept of electronic commerce. With the aid of a computer, browser, and Internet connection, millions of worldwide consumers can go shopping at any time and any place to purchase such things as airline tickets, books or furniture. As such, the Internet with a potentially global market, presents innumerable business opportunities. The small business is able to select those aspects of the Internet, which prove to be the most advantageous of using the Internet as an e-business, as a form of marketing or for communication purposes and in turn use it as a form of empowerment. When user connects onto the Internet, it is not obviously as commercial intention. The Internet is an international network of computer but also a human network. Human has to communicate and to interact with one another; across cultural, religious, ethic and geographic barriers. In 2001, nearly 410 million people communicate by different modes. This communication is a key for minority cultures. We can set up the following problem: what is the influence of the Internet in empowering small business and minority cultures. The next part of this report will begin by describing the way we established the assessment. After some definitions of the problem, we will argue the positive influence in the two points, and we will finish with the negative aspect. Firstly, the Internet may be used to empower the small business from a financial perspective. Any small business can use the Internet to market and/or conduct their business. Due to the relatively low start up costs required to connect up to the Internet, no large financial burden is placed on the individual or small business. As such, they are no longer dependent on larger institutions such as banks to provide the necessary funding. In a similar vein, by using the Internet it is unnecessary to employ as many people as would be required for a traditional business. For example, an artist can exhibit his paintings on-line. As a matter of course, he not only saves on the costs of advertising but also on the cost of employing an agent. Secondly, the Internet provides flexibility and accessibility, which in turn acts as a form of empowerment. The small business can choose to work at its own pace as well as set its own working hours. The products and services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without having a retail location. La Maison du Kouign Amann is a small caterer shop in Bretagne. From to its site kouignamann.com customers are allowed to order Breton alcohol at any time. This means that even if the store is closed, the business is still running. Moreover, it is very easy to extend a small business to over the world, for the reason that the Internet is an international network Thirdly, competition becomes a means of empowerment. By providing access to other businesses, the Internet allows the small business to compare its products and services with those offered by its competitors.
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