NETWORK COMMUNITIES OF ELECTRONIC SPACE: ACTUAL AND FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE OF FUNCTIONS IN THE PROCESS OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The article is aimed to identify the functions of network communities of electronic space and define stages of their development as a form of economic relations on the base of analysis of formation and development process of these communities. As a result of the study, all the functions of network communities of electronic space have been grouped into three basic ones: informational, organizational and communication and optimization functions. While network communities develop and implement their functions, their role in the functioning of economic ties also changes. According to this three stages of development of network communities of electronic space as a form of economic relations have been allocated: 1) complementary; 2) equivalent; 3) dominant form. The dynamic development of network communities and increasing implementation into business practices necessitate their further studies. Advanced areas of further research include the analysis of the institutionalization of network communities as well as the risks caused by these communities.