# The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Perception of Globalization and Consumer Behavior
###### Abstract
Additionally, the fact that the processes occurred in a developed or developing country was not a distinguishing factor in this case. The technical and technological changes consisting of greater and greater computerization, Internet usability or satellite communication, in line with political and economic transformations, enabled greater integration and interconnectivity between individuals, businesses, economies and countries around the world. Undeniably, the outbreak and spread of COVID-19 resulted in the rapid increase in the popularity of e-commerce and social media. ICT tools have been used for all intents and purposes: work, trade, communication and networking. However, as far as globalization processes are concerned (i.e., perceived convergence processes), opinions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic increasing the globalization tendencies are no longer so unequivocal. As many scientists and researchers [7; 13; 14; 15] claim, to a certain degree, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has also disturbed trends and processes connected with globalization and affected the way in which the phenomenon is perceived and approached. At this point, several questions appear, and the literature on the subject does not offer a single, unambiguous answer. First, the question arises of whether the globalization phenomena occurred in the same way in all regions of the world. Second, if there were differences in pandemic-related restrictions in particular countries (e.g., length of quarantine, isolation from the market, traditional trade restrictions, concessions related to subsequent phases of vaccination against COVID-19), is such cross-cultural comparison possible at all? Third, we ask whether the customer behavior controlled and enforced by these processes will be retained in the post-COVID-19 era and whether the new consumer behaviors will become a habit or just fleeting tendencies enforced by the present circumstances. Fourth, are the abovementioned trends sustainable and present in the entire economy or only in individual industries or sectors related to specific products and services? It appears that a research gap has arisen in the research field, and the authors will try to examine and describe the phenomena, at least to a certain degree, focusing on the case of Poland and Polish consumers surveyed in 2020-2021. Taking the abovementioned considerations into account, the authors of this article undertook to assess whether the global trends related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, described in international reports, are reflected also in the perception of globalization and behavior of Polish consumers. The authors decided to carry out a survey among young consumers aged 18-34. From their point of view, the group of university students is an appropriate research sample because it is this population that is very active on the Internet and that frequently uses ICT tools (a smartphone accompanies them anytime and anywhere, and they use it for contact, entertainment and shopping). It is this openness to modern technologies, education level, IT competence and language skills that make this population able to provide valid and reliable answers to the questions on the survey on globalization and the impact of the pandemic on the digital behavior of young consumers in Poland. As part of the study covering a sample of university students, the following research questions were posed:  
* How do globalization and ICT technologies affect consumers in Poland? (The working hypothesis H1 is as follows: The changes in consumer behavior trends among young Polish consumers will be consistent with the findings of studies that were carried out among other populations or research conducted in other countries.) * Is the COVID-19 pandemic influencing consumer behavior? Are the changes going to last after the pandemic period is over? Are there any fluctuations in the pace of e-commerce development and the advance of globalization?