Factors that affect eCommerce platforms’ sustainability in Sarawak

Abstract

eCommerce platforms became a centre of attraction and being widely used by Malaysian when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country. This forceful paradigm shift, however, had contributed generously to the GDP of the country. Sarawak being the largest state in Malaysia, is expected to contribute the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP), however, this is not the case. Nonetheless, the Sarawak State Government had deployed the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy 2018-2022 blueprint as one of their initiatives to position Sarawak as a high-income state. To boost Sarawak's Digital Economy, promoting and implementing eCommerce is crucial. Yet, the key challenge lies in ensuring full acceptance and adoption of this transformative approach by all stakeholders. Therefore, this research was carried out to offer valuable insights to the state government regarding the factors that influence the sustainability of current eCommerce platforms in Sarawak. The date collected from Sarawakians served as the foundation for this study. Data from 130 individuals residing in Sarawak was collected through e-survey, employing a quantitative research method. The findings indicate that the sustainability of an eCommerce platform in Sarawak is influenced by the extent to which it aids users in achieving their objectives. Additionally, the Sarawak community's awareness of the advantages and risks associated with using eCommerce platforms was identified as another factor impacting platform sustainability. In summary, this study highlights significant factors that can contribute to the development of Sarawak's Digital Economy. By identifying these variables, it provides valuable insights that can serve as a call to action for the state government.