Electronic Commerce Technologies Adoption by SMEs: A Conceptual Study (original) (raw)

Adoption of Electronic Commerce Technologies by SMEs in Malaysia

2009

). At this stage, there is still a need for a better understanding of the potential and relevance of EC in developing countries as well as the behaviour of SMEs towards EC adoption. Moreover, there is still a need for a holistic view of how various widely known factors at the organization, industry and national levels affect EC adoption. Therefore, this study proposes a theoretical model of EC technologies adoption by SMEs in developing countries by incorporating various readiness factors identified in the literature that may determine EC technologies adoption by SMEs in developing countries. It then explores the influence of these factors on the adoption of different EC technologies. The environmental pressure is also considered in this study. Through a survey of SMEs within the grocery industry in Malaysia as an example of a developing country, the study demonstrates how various readiness factors influence the adoption of various EC technologies differently. This study provides additional insights into EC adoption by SMEs in developing countries and has important implications for research and practice.

E-commerce adoption in Developing Countries SMEs: What Do the Prevailing Theoretical Models Offer Us?

2017

This paper presents a critical analysis of prevailing innovation adoption theories and assess the extent of their appropriateness for explaining SMEs e-commerce adoption in developing countries. The theories examined are Technology Acceptance Model (TAM); Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT); Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI); Technology Organisation Environment (TOE); Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB); Resource Based Theory (RBT). Our analysis revealed that none of these theoretical models individually is sufficient to describe the contextual characteristics of SMEs in developing countries. Therefore, we suggested the integration of the Perceived E-readiness Model (PERM) by Molla and Licker (2005) and the Technology Organisation Environment Framework (TOE) by Tornatzky and Fleischer (1990) serves as a theoretical foundation for understanding e-commerce adoption of SMEs in developing country.

An analysis of the factors affecting the adoption of electronic commerce by SMEs: Evidence from an emerging market

International Marketing Review, 2005

Purpose -The study investigates the internet-based electronic commerce (EC) adoption profile of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey as well as the factors affecting their willingness to adopt EC usage. Design/methodology/approach -EC adoption is measured by a composite index of the usage frequency of 14 EC application tools. The study draws on the data obtained from a sample of 237 manufacturing SMEs with internet connection. Findings -In was discovered that EC adoption was significantly influenced by its perceived benefits. However, the perceived limitations of EC applications were found to have no statistically significant effect on EC adoption. The analysis also showed that company and industry-specific factors, with the exception of amount of resources allocated for export development, did not appear to have any significant impact on EC adoption. Research limitations/implications -More efforts have to be made to remove or at least mitigate the impediments to a SME's willingness to adopt EC. The results of this study show that the lack of legal regulations is cited as one of the most serious limitations of EC and hence EC is rarely used for payment purposes. One of the most vivid implications of internet-based EC for SMEs is the potential for external communication and information gathering for market and product research. Originality/value -This study is significant for two reasons. First, it presents new data and insights into the internet-based EC adoption of SMEs. Second, this study focuses on a relatively unexplored research area in an emerging market -Turkish SMEs.

A Framework for E-Commerce Adoption by Smes in Developing Countries

2014

The study for e-commerce adoption indicates viable and practical solutions from ecommerce for organizations to meet challenges of a changing economic environment to enhance competitiveness. Much of this research relates to developed countries ready to spring on new approaches. However, developing countries seem to fall far behind. The few available studies related to SMEs in developing countries reveal a delay or failure on the part of SMEs to adopt ICT and e-commerce technologies. Various factors identified as causes for this limitation can be broadly classified as Internal Barriers and External Barriers. An exploratory pilot study and interviews were conducted and results analyzed using frequency distribution tools, with a view to developing a framework that will eTransform SMEs in developing countries The study presents an eSME roadmap to determine the current stage of ICT sophistication and e-commerce adoption level for SMEs in developing countries. The road map also provides a ...

An analysis of the factors affecting the adoption of electronic commerce by SMEs

International Marketing Review, 2005

PurposeThe study investigates the internet‐based electronic commerce (EC) adoption profile of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey as well as the factors affecting their willingness to adopt EC usage.Design/methodology/approachEC adoption is measured by a composite index of the usage frequency of 14 EC application tools. The study draws on the data obtained from a sample of 237 manufacturing SMEs with internet connection.FindingsIn was discovered that EC adoption was significantly influenced by its perceived benefits. However, the perceived limitations of EC applications were found to have no statistically significant effect on EC adoption. The analysis also showed that company and industry‐specific factors, with the exception of amount of resources allocated for export development, did not appear to have any significant impact on EC adoption.Research limitations/implicationsMore efforts have to be made to remove or at least mitigate the impediments to a SME's wil...

An analysis of the factors affecting the adoption of electronic commerce by SMEs - Evidence from an emerging market (An analysis of the factors affecting the adoption of electronic commerce by SMEs - Evidence from an emerging market )

International Marketing Review, 2005

Purpose -The study investigates the internet-based electronic commerce (EC) adoption profile of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey as well as the factors affecting their willingness to adopt EC usage. Design/methodology/approach -EC adoption is measured by a composite index of the usage frequency of 14 EC application tools. The study draws on the data obtained from a sample of 237 manufacturing SMEs with internet connection. Findings -In was discovered that EC adoption was significantly influenced by its perceived benefits. However, the perceived limitations of EC applications were found to have no statistically significant effect on EC adoption. The analysis also showed that company and industry-specific factors, with the exception of amount of resources allocated for export development, did not appear to have any significant impact on EC adoption. Research limitations/implications -More efforts have to be made to remove or at least mitigate the impediments to a SME's willingness to adopt EC. The results of this study show that the lack of legal regulations is cited as one of the most serious limitations of EC and hence EC is rarely used for payment purposes. One of the most vivid implications of internet-based EC for SMEs is the potential for external communication and information gathering for market and product research. Originality/value -This study is significant for two reasons. First, it presents new data and insights into the internet-based EC adoption of SMEs. Second, this study focuses on a relatively unexplored research area in an emerging market -Turkish SMEs.

E-commerce technology adoption: A Malaysian grocery SME retail sector study

Journal of Business Research, 2015

Electronic commerce (EC) has substantial potential to foster the growth of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in developed and developing countries alike. However, EC adoption by SMEs in developing countries has faced many challenges that have not been adequately addressed due to the complex nature of EC adoption in such countries. The aim of this study is to systematically examine the influence of organizational, industry, national readiness and environmental pressure on the adoption of diverse EC technologies by SMEs in developing countries. A quantitative survey was conducted with retail SMEs within the Malaysian grocery sector to validate the proposed multi-level model. Findings indicate significant influence of environmental pressure on the adoption of various EC technologies. Organizational and national readiness have different influences across diverse EC technologies, while the influence of industry readiness is shown to be insignificant. This study extends the current understanding of the influence of micro-, meso-and macro-level factors and has important implications for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers.

An Investigation into the Factors Affecting E-Commerce Adoption Decisions by SMEs

Strategic E-Commerce Systems and Tools for Competing in the Digital Marketplace

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) has become an increasingly important initiative among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as both a great opportunity and as a source of competition. The factors affecting adoption decisions of e-commerce by SMEs have been well documented, but there is a paucity of empirical studies that examine the adoption of e-commerce in the Arab world. The aim of this chapter is to provide insights into the salient e-commerce adoption issues by focusing on Saudi Arabian businesses. This chapter investigates the state of e-commerce adoption and analyses the factors that determine the extent to which SMEs in Saudi Arabia are inclined towards deploying e-commerce technologies. This research was designed using a qualitative approach through exploratory case studies selected from firms in Saudi Arabia. The findings contribute towards a better conceptual and practical understanding of the main factors driving SMEs to adopt e-commerce. The study has found that the leve...

Electronic Commerce Adoption Barriers in Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Developed and Developing Countries

Journal of Electronic Commerce in Organizations, 2000

Today e-commerce has become crucial element to transform some of the world countries into an information society. However, several calls have been made to meet the association between the perceptions of e-commerce adoption barriers in developing countries. This paper focuses on the main challenges facing the growth of e-commerce in SMEs in Libya. Further, a deep investigation concerning e-commerce growth and development in Libya was carried out by discussing several issues such as: postal system suitability, banking system services, internet safety and customer's culture upon the growth of e-commerce. In order to accomplish the objectives of the study, questionnaire surveys have been distributed to forty business managers to concerning e-commerce situation in Libya. The study showed many challenges facing Libyans' e-commerce like the expensiveness of internet pricing; the unsuitability of online shopping services and Libyan postal system; and the Libyans' culture and their limited trust in the online trading systems.

Drivers of E-Commerce Adoption amongst Small & Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Business Service Sector

2020

Technology has played a significant role in the development of business to business (B2B) or business to consumers' (B2C) electronic commerce (or e-commerce) over the recent decades. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine determinants of e-commerce adoption among small-and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the business services sector in a progressively developing nation. This study tested six hypotheses focusing on organizational, technological and environmental factors that may affect e-commerce adoption. Using judgemental sampling approach, a total of 110 feedback were gathered via online questionnaire based survey. The study employed SmartPLS 3.0 (Partial Least Square) structural equation modelling statistical software to confirm the hypotheses of this study. Structural model analysis was conducted and it was revealed that perceived relative advantage, perceived compatibility, e-commerce knowledge and expertise, external change agent and competitors' pressu...