Small Medium Enterprises: On Utilizing Business-to-Business e-Commerce to Go Global

Abstract

In line with the growth of the Internet, the Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce has also been growing rapidly. Enterprises all over the world have been going global by taking the advantages B2B e-commerce, which can be materialized by joining global B2B marketplace websites. Thousands of Indonesian SMEs have joined these marketplace websites. However, based on analyzing the survey results, it is doubtful that the SMEs have been successful in marketing products via these marketplace websites despite the potential advantages of the websites. This paper presents the survey results, problems identified and recommendations for Indonesian SMEs, the government and organizations aiming to develop Indonesian SMEs to go global. The recommendations include how to develop company websites properly, how to join B2B e-commerce marketplace websites and how to communicate effectively in dealing with potential international buyers.