M-Commerce Adoption in SMEs of China

Abstract

Based on the institutional theory, this article explores how institutional pressures motivate firms to adopt m-commerce, and how such effects are mediated by top management. Structural equation modeling with partial least square is used to analyze valid data from 204 small and medium-sized firms in China. The empirical results manifest as: mimetic pressures, coercive pressures, normative pressures which could directly affect a firm's intention to adopt m-commerce while coercive pressures and normative pressures have a positive effect on top management support. Top management support partly mediates the influence of two institutional pressures, coercive pressures and normative pressures, on the adoption intention of m-commerce. The final implications of the findings for research and practice are discussed.