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The main purpose of this article was to identify the impacts of globalization and information and communication technologies on the consumer behavior of a young population aged 18–34 before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted using the CAWI (computer-assisted web interview) method using convenient sampling involving students of the University of Warsaw. The survey was carried out in three stages: in March 2020, December 2020 and November 2021. The last cycle of research enabled the authors to examine the changes in consumer behavior trends nearly two years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland and compare them with the tendencies that could be observed in March 2020 and December 2020. The findings from all survey questionnaires indicate that the behavior of respondents is generally consistent with consumer trends established and described in several reports concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s perception of globalization and consumer behavior. The main observation in terms of online purchases was that the growth itself was not very significant, but the frequency of purchases over the Internet increased. A similar trend could be observed in the case of using social media. Research of this scope was carried out in Poland for the first time, which proves the originality and value of this paper.

The main objective of this article is to analyze the use of modern information technologies, referring to the example of smartphones, paying particular attention to selected cultural aspects of the phenomena that appear to play an important role in creating the concept of a smart city. The authors asked a research question: whether there is a difference in the perception of smart cities between Poland and Turkey in terms of a set of individual criteria and cultural differences in the context of globalization processes. The authors decided to compare the use of smartphones in an international environment. In their analysis, they examined Poland and Turkey, the countries which are characterized by markedly distinct culture and customs, but simultaneously present a similar level of IT development. The research was conducted in two stages at the turn of 2019 and 2020, and it involved more than 600 selected young people aged 18–25. It is important to mention that the study consulted the group of the most active internet users who are taking advantage of the benefits of internet-aided globalization. In order to carry out the survey questionnaire, the authors applied a CAWI (Computer Associated Web Interview) method. The original study aimed at identifying the character traits of smartphone users that appear to be most important from the point of view of implementing the concept of a smart city. As a result of this research, 15 such characteristics were identified, and the impact of smartphones on the strengthening or weakening of such qualities was tested in the course of conducting the survey questionnaire. The survey was translated into native languages and initially tested as part of the pilot studies. The results were compared, and the authors have identified and commented on differences between them. They also assessed the degree to which the hypothesis formulated in the research has been verified. The main limitation of the conducted study was the selection of a random group since the research sample consisted only of members of the academic community. The part of the study which is presented in this article fills the research gap related to the impact of smartphones on selected aspects of user behavior (punctuality, individualism, the quantity and quality of contacts) as well as social behavior (homogenization of cultures, the impact on economic and technological progress, strengthening of social bonds, civic responsibility (both in the social and economic sense), personal development initiatives, increase in social activity, sense of security, technological progress, and achieving prosperity). The examined features are particularly important in shaping the idea of smart cities. The results obtained in the study are conducive to expanding the research in this area.

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Purpose:The primary objective of this article is to identify the differences in the opinions concerning the impact of e-commerce on the broadly perceived globalization processes in two selected countries, Poland and Turkey, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The two countries examined as part of the research are culturally distinct. However, they also represent a similar level of development in terms of Internet-based solutions. Design/Methodology/Approach: In this study, the authors have applied a dedicated questionnaire, which enabled them to collect data covering the sample of 459 Polish and Turkish respondents. The survey findings were compared, considering the percentage differences, the city distance, and Euclidean distance. The research results were obtained using a survey questionnaire completed by individual, active Internet users from both countries. The structure of the paper includes the presentation of the issue against the background of literature, methodological assumptions of the study, its findings, discussions, and conclusions. Findings: The research findings confirmed the existence of significant differences between Poland and Turkey as regards the respondents' perception of the place and role of e-commerce and their influence on globalization processes, in particular in the categories related to payments for products/services in e-commerce as well as the impact of information technologies on globalization. Practical Implications: The discovered in the conducted research similarities and differences in the assessments of the impact of e-commerce on globalization processes in Poland and Turkey may enormously enhance the understanding of differences between described countries and give essential knowledge for developing the new product in the e-commerce area. Originality/Value: The present study contributes to creating new knowledge concerning the similarities and differences in the assessments of the impact of e-commerce on globalization processes in Poland and Turkey.