A study of the effectiveness of e-commerce adoption among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) providing postnatal care services: A case study in Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

The research covered in this article aimed to provide an insight into factors affecting business-to-business e-commerce (EC) adoption and implementation in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) providing postnatal care services. However, EC adoption by SMEs in developing countries has faced many challenges that we have not adequately addressed due to the complex nature of EC adoption in such countries. We based this research on an extensive literature review, and focused on proposing a theoretical model of technological, environmental, and organizational factors (TOE) influencing EC adoption and implementation. Thus, our first and second research goals were to identify the characteristics and perceptions of EC adoption among SME managers working in the postnatal care industry. Finally, this research also covered critical studies, as it tried to provide organizations with key strategies for creating awareness of EC platforms among SMEs involved in postnatal care services. The results of the empirical research provide an indication that SMEs in the postnatal care services industry are interested in adopting and conducting business-to-business EC. This article both contributes to our understanding of the factors affecting business-to-business EC adoption and implementation in SMEs and provides interesting perspectives from the postnatal care services industry.