Abstract
The modern economy is an ever-changing environment and businesses need to adapt to maintain competitive advantages and secure profits. Trade and communication barriers have faded leading to a more global and international environment. Technological advances, such as computer innovation and networks, changed the face of economic trade and play an important role in the global and electronic marketplace. Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is a low-cost way of conducting economic activities, as well as, building global business partnerships to interchange information through interconnected networks.The current awareness of the e-commerce adoption amongst the respondents in South African businesses are the focus of this article and the results of an empirical study that incorporates on-line businesses that offer products or services to consumers.A large practical significance was found on the importance and role of technology as a competitive advantage in business, especially in marketing, expert knowledge, increasing sales, enhancement of relationships and the saving of time. The most important reasons for e-commerce and international trade included profit (86 percent), access to strategic markets (64 percent) and international association by means of relationships (61 percent).
Highlights
Global interconnectivity has changed businesses and commercial activities in such a way that it is large businesses that benefit from the use of new distribution, marketing and administrative channels
South African business people and managers can derive significant value from its use if they understand the use of networks and e-commerce (Timmers, 1999:7-8) to trade in the global economy (Moodley, 2002)
In South Africa, the gap between rich and poor, literate and illiterate is of such magnitude that the focus falls on creating a balance, rather than seeking progress (Castells, 2000:309)
Summary
Global interconnectivity has changed businesses and commercial activities in such a way that it is large businesses that benefit from the use of new distribution, marketing and administrative channels. The administration, marketing, distribution and business models are changed (Kleindl, 2001:6). The shift towards e-commerce is driven by both the need to utilise the emerging opportunities presented and the fear of falling behind (Sudweeks & Romm, 2000:21). This is the aim of the study to investigate the development and adoption of e-commerce amongst South African businesses
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