E-commerce trading activity and the SME sector: an FSB perspective (original) (raw)

Strategic Uses of E-Commerce by SMEs in the East of England

European Management Journal, 2003

Small-to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are emerging as significant Internet users and like their larger counterparts increasingly adopting e-commerce. This research suggests that SMEs in different industry sectors may adopt different strategies for e-commerce and have different needs for training and support. It also explores the possibility that the Internet may not be an unmitigated blessing. It can pose both a threat and an opportunity for SME business strategies. Survey results in the eastern England region of the UK show that despite recent setbacks to the dot-com sector, SMEs are placing ecommerce at the centre of their technology and corporate strategies and plan to use the Internet as a means for achieving transformational change.

E‐commerce and SMEs—The Need for Caution

Prometheus, 2009

Much has been written about e‐commerce. Many authors seem certain that e‐commerce conveys undisputed benefits. Yet, e‐commerce is not being adopted readily by SMEs. The disinclination of SMEs to adopt and use e‐commerce deserves serious attention, given the role that SMEs play in all economies. This paper looks critically at the issue. It highlights findings from a large‐scale survey of SMEs and interviews with SME managers across Malaysia. Results show online payment and online buying are not common. Websites are used for little more than providing contact details of the company and information about the company’s goods and services. While there may be good, logical reasons for SME managers having websites, many are clearly just boys with toys.

E-Commerce Trading Patterns within the SME Sector: An Opportunity Missed?

E-Commerce Adoption and Small Business in the Global Marketplace: Tools for Optimization, 2010

This study profiles an empirical study of E-Commerce trading patterns of SMEs in Wales. Academic debate continues to espouse the importance of the SME community in engendering economic prosperity and enhanced economic development although the sector also remains categorised by high failure rates. The strategic adoption of information technology offers the opportunity for increased competitiveness and enhanced profitability. Evidence suggests, however, that SMEs, particularly the smaller SME classifications, are not effectively exploiting E-business, with limited recorded examples of successful adoption. Within this study, E-Commerce trading practices are therefore contrasted against traditional non E-Commerce trading activity and conclusions are drawn on the behaviour adopted by SME Owner/Managers. The conclusions will inform Owner/Managers, policy makers, practitioners, researchers and educators involved in E-Commerce deployment in the SME sector.

E-commerce for SMEs: empirical insights from three countries

Purpose -The main purpose of this paper is to study the benefits that an Asian company can achieve by using e-commerce. Another objective is to identify and rank the barriers influencing the application of e-commerce by innovative small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India, Malaysia, and Iran Design/methodology/approach -The survey design uses a sample of 601 SMEs from three countries. In this study, data were collected by sending out questionnaires electronically and by mail. The Friedman test is used to analyse questionnaire data in conjunction with SPSS 16 software. Findings -The results indicate that an "enhanced company brand and corporate image" is the most important e-commerce advantage from the perspective of East Asian SMEs, whereas "doubts about the security and privacy" is the most important barrier. Research limitations/implications -Differences between the three countries in terms of electronic structure and infrastructure are the most important limitations for the study. Practical implications -As the company brand and the image of the company are very important in this region, companies should strategically invest into these areas. Nowadays, in times of social media, this is not as cost intensive as it was ten years before. So particularly, SMEs have a good chance to succeed in this area. Originality/value -This paper offers researchers a broader and more comprehensive view of the benefits of and barriers to electronic commerce application by SMEs. Researchers, educators, and practitioners will benefit from this paper. The analyses are more complex and varied than the methodologies used in most of the limited previous research.

Ebusiness barriers to growth within the SME sector

Journal of Systems and Information Technology, 2003

SMEs overcome these barriers. However, whether these projects represent the needs of SMEs is debatable. The opportunity for SMEs to exploit information communication technology has increased due to the improved affordability and sophistication of computing equipment, along with the development and utilisation of the Internet. This progress has seen the emergence of Ebusiness and Ecommerce, whereby SMEs can operate, communicate and trade in global markets. Recent surveys by academia, government and trade bodies have identified Wales as the worst performing region for Ebusiness in the UK with sceptical attitudes towards its increased adoption. This paper reports on a quantitative study investigating Ebusiness utilisation within SMEs in Wales. Specifically this paper focuses on the key barriers influencing the adoption of Ebusiness within SMEs in Wales. The survey of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce (CCC) membership was undertaken in 2001. The CCC is a trade body of approximately 1000 SMEs encompassing a geographical area covering Cardiff, Bridgend, Newport and the Valleys areas. The postal survey and telephone follow up achieved a response rate of 100 SME classified enterprises, a response rate of approximately 10%.

E-Commerce and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in South East Wales: A Clear Case for Intervention?

2000

One region where e-commerce will have a particular impact for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over the next few years will be in South East Wales (SEW). In response to this a survey was undertaken by the Welsh Enterprise Institute (WEI) in collaboration with the Open University Business School and Rennes ESC in Brittany to assess the e-commerce activity of firms within the SEW area. The survey was conducted using a database provided by the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Industry.

E-Commerce and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in S.E.Wales

Tools for Optimization, 2010

One region where e-commerce will have a particular impact for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over the next few years will be in South East Wales (SEW). In response to this a survey was undertaken by the Welsh Enterprise Institute (WEI) in collaboration with the Open University Business School and Rennes ESC in Brittany to assess the e-commerce activity of firms within the SEW area. The survey was conducted using a database provided by the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Industry.

Issues Influencing Electronic Commerce Activities of SMEs

Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications

This study aims to investigate the issues of electronic commerce activities in small and medium sized enterprises as a consequence of organizational change initiated by the adoption of information technologies. The fundamental issues influencing electronic commerce practices of SMEs are their insufficiency of cognitive learning and organizational strategy, financial and distribution problems specific to SMEs, limitations of supply chain management, reluctance of organizational culture for electronic change, problems of information technologies usage, insufficiency of human resource, resistance of top management to organizational change as required by the adoption of information technologies, integration problems of new technologies with the existing systems, lack of confidence on the side of customers towards electronic commerce. A study of the Turkish Automotive Supplier Industry has revealed that electronic commerce has been adopted and its benefits are accepted. However, the indu...

Adoption of E-Commerce by SMEs in the UK

International Small Business Journal: Researching Entrepreneurship, 2002

Research has shown that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are rapidly adopting the Internet and e-commerce. However, there is little systematic research into how such companies are adopting this new technology. This study addresses the research gap by seeking to understand how SMEs in the UK are adopting e-commerce, through an exploration of their level and sequence of adoption. The research, which was carried out by means of a mailed questionnaire, found four distinct clusters of adoption. These formed a set of sequential stages, through which firms appear to pass during the adoption of e-commerce. The firms in the first cluster are currently developing their first e-commerce services; the second adoption cluster are using e-mail to communicate with customers, suppliers and employees. Those at the third level of adoption have information-based websites operating and are developing on-line ordering facilities. The most advanced adopters have on-line ordering in operation and...