An Investigation of Perceived Benefits and Perceived Barriers of E-businesses among Bruneian SMEs

Abstract

This study initiates to identify expected and experienced benefits and barriers in adopting of e-business technologies among Bruneian SMEs in the supplier side. The overall findings indicate that adoption of e-business technologies was seen in a positive light by participating SMEs. These findings identified several key expected/experienced benefits. Among the top five experienced benefits are increased sale, managers' access to methods and models in making functioning area decision, increased flexibility in communicating with business partners, improved customer services, increased ability to compete, and providing managers better access to information. Despite of these benefits, there are encountered expected/experienced barriers to e-business technologies adoption by SMEs. The top five experienced barriers include: lack of technical competence, lack of financial resources, lack of compatibility, high implementation cost associated with e-business technologies, and, the high level of complexity associated with e-business implementation. The theoretical and practical implications of this research are discussed and some conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made. 