Commercial Applications in Digital Communications

Abstract Where in the past the field of digitally mediated communication was focused narrowly within organizational settings and on its impacts on interpersonal communication, it is now clear that the commercial implications of such communication are vast and pervasive, permeating every aspect of the economy. This entry provides an overview of the topics addressed in the commercial applications theme of this Encyclopedia , covering six areas: business‐to‐business networks, electronic commerce, online marketing, online content delivery, communication services, and mobile communications. Research related to these topics is needed to understand how digital technologies shape social and business practice, and to better inform policies and practice. The entries offer a comprehensive introduction to the work that has been done and an agenda for where to take research in the future.