Determinants of Cross-border E-Commerce Usage Based on TOE Framework of SMEs in Hebei Province

Abstract

A comprehensive model has been developed to evaluate the usage and outcomes of cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) at firm level. The model is built on the TOE framework, and we have focused on the post-adoption phase, which involves the actual usage of e-commerce and its potential to generate value, rather than just the adoption aspect that is typically the focus of previous literature. The aim of this research is to investigate determinants of e-commerce usage among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Hebei Province. The main focus is to conduct preliminary analysis and reliability and validity testing on data of the pilot study. This is necessary to receive valuable feedback from the participants and ensure the final survey's reliability and validity. A pilot survey is conducted in SMEs of Hebei Province using purposive sampling to analyse reliability and validity. In the pilot study, we conducted a survey of 50 SMEs in Hebei Province, and the reliability and validity of our findings were confirmed, and the result provided a context to undertake the analysis of data. The research provides SME employees, managers, governments, and researchers in Hebei Province with a reference for formulating strategies that suit the business model of CBEC SMEs in the province and helps firms make good use of e-commerce to increase international competitiveness.