Digital Communication Channels in Export Transactions of Polish Enterprises in The Conditions of The COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Purpose – The article aims to identify the relationship between the communication shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the digitalization of communication channels in the transaction process, and the exports of Polish enterprises. Research method – The following methods are used: descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and non-parametric one-way analysis of variance (Kruskal-Wallis test) based on data from a diagnostic survey conducted on a representative sample of Polish exporters. Results – The communication shock caused by the restriction of face-to-face meetings with foreign counterparties had, among many factors, the most negative impact on Polish enterprises’ export transaction opportunities during the pandemic. However, hypotheses that there are relationships between export performance, export opportunities and the use of digital communication channels, and the digitalization of communication under pandemic conditions were rejected. The absence of such relationships refers to Solow’s paradox of the lack of efficiency effects of digital technologies implementation. Originality / value / implications / recommendations – Conclusions enhance knowledge of the digitalization of international economic transactions, and in particular, the efficiency of the uti-lization of digital communication channels in export transactions under pandemic conditions.