E-business Adoption Research Articles

Determinants and outcomes of e-business adoption among manufacturing SMEs: Insights from a developing country

PurposeIn response to a turbulent industrial environment, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), organizations have widely adopted e-business to improve their processes. This study aims to propose a model that encapsulates the determinants and outcomes of e-business adoption.Design/methodology/approachThe determinants and outcomes of e-business adoption were tested using data gathered from 282 managers and analysed using structural equation modelling techniques.FindingsThe results indicated that owner support, perceived ease of use and government support were important determinants that influence e-business adoption. Attitude, competitive pressureand relative advantage were not significant. Regarding outcomes, e-business adoption had a major impact on SME functioning and operational progress; however, it had no influence on competitive advantage.Originality/valueBy ascertaining the determinants and outcomes of e-business adoption, the findings provide e-business practitioners and managers with guidelines that can encourage more efficient and effective e-business adoption within their organizations. The results also provide a basis for more precise e-business studies to be conducted in developing countries.

Perception of e-business adoption in agribusiness MSMEs

Climate change is unavoidable due to global warming and will have a broad impact on every aspect of life, including agriculture. This poses a significant threat to the agricultural sector. Furthermore, it raises new problems of the sustainability of food production and agricultural production systems in general. This has an indirect impact on agribusiness MSME, particularly in terms of the availability of food for raw materials for MSME products. Furthermore, agribusiness MSMEs should be competitive to face the global market. As a consequence, they should embrace innovations that support business activities in the current era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Using e-business in their business practices is one of the efforts that agribusiness MSMEs can make. E-business is a type of internet-based business practice that can help improve the efficiency of various business processes. This research aims to determine the perceptions and levels of e-business adoption among agribusiness MSMEs in Sukoharjo Regency. The survey method was used in this study, along with the purposive sampling technique. A questionnaire was used to gather data from 252 agribusiness MSMEs in Sukoharjo. An in-depth interview was used to identify the research variable indicators more thoroughly. The results reveal that the frequency of e-business use by MSME actors in Sukoharjo Regency remains low. However, MSME actors have a positive perception of the benefits of using e-business. Therefore, there is a great opportunity for the future implementation of e-business.

E-business adoption costs and strategies for retail micro businesses

E-business benefit both large and small businesses. However, the aggregate cost of successful online trading, including initial and recurring costs, continues to pose a great challenge to micro-enterprises. For these willing businesses, the result is a mere web presence and for some, the thought of trading online is a no-go area. Using a multi-case study qualitative approach, this study adopts the technology-organisation-environment theoretical lens to explore empirically the strategies used by e-retail microbusinesses to potentially advance their e-business adoption. The findings revealed the actual cost of adoption, the technology-organisation-environment strategies in use to lower the cost barrier, and how the pursuit of the cost barrier simultaneously lowers some adoption barriers outside the cost factors. The study also highlighted the intrinsic idiosyncratic nature of small firms’ ecosystems, and the fact that government resources and services provided by companies, both private and public, could effectively reduce the costs associated with e-business adoption.

A study to analyse the social, economic, cultural, and technological determinants of e-business adoption in small and medium enterprises of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

A study to analyse the social, economic, cultural, and technological determinants of e-business adoption in small and medium enterprises of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Factors influencing e-business adoption by Jordanian SMEs

Factors influencing e-business adoption by Jordanian SMEs

PAZARLAMA YÖNETİMİNDE KULLANIMI AÇISINDAN TOÇ MODELİNİN İÇERİK ANALİZİYLE İNCELENMESİ

The purpose of the study is to investigate how the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework is used in social sciences and to discuss how it can be used especially in the field of marketing management. Within the scope of the research, literature review is conducted and relevant studies are selected. Content analysis is applied to selected studies. The literature review is conducted without any time limitation and only articles in social sciences are selected as restrictions. According to limited available resources, 33 studies deemed appropriate within the scope. The studies are evaluated and grouped according to; subjects, the sub-variables of the main context of the TOE model, sample, data collection, analysis method and research method. Results showed that, TOE framework is mostly used in social media and e-business adoption. When sub-contexts of the model are analyzed, the most used variables are; relative advantage and compatibility in the technological context, firm size and top management support in organizational context, competitive pressure in environmental context.

Digital development for a progressive networked society

Digital development for a progressive networked society

Perception towards E-Business Adoption: A Case of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Sarawak

Perception towards E-Business Adoption: A Case of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Sarawak

Mogućnosti e-poslovanja i inovacione performanse - posrednički efekat strategija upravljanja znanjem

The aim of this paper is to analyze the mediating effect of the knowledge management strategies on the relationship between e-business capabilities and innovation performance. The research model was tested with a sample of 102 firms belonging to IT intensive sectors, located in an emerging country that is a regional leader in terms of e-business adoption. Structural equations by the consistent partial least squares method were used. The main result indicates that only the personalization strategy has a partial mediating effect. In conclusion, e-business capability alone is insufficient for achieving a superior innovation performance. This finding also helps consolidate the incipient study perspective that understands knowledge management not as an antecedent variable which becomes indispensable for e-business adoption, but as an organizational factor that intervenes a posteriori and which is focused on achieving an effective use of all the knowledge resulting from the digital operation of the business.

Driving the internet and e-business technologies to generate a competitive advantage in emerging markets

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and empirically examine a comprehensive model that attempts to identify the factors that explain competitive advantage of implementing electronic business (e-business) in an emerging market. It seeks to fulfill an inevitable lack of conducting rigorous and intensive empirical studies on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in which the internet use and e-business applications are on the rise.Design/methodology/approachThis research is descriptive in nature where a quantitative research methodology is deployed. Data are collected using both interviews and e-survey for a sample of 302 Egyptian companies serving in diverse industries. A multivariate partial least squares technique is employed to analyze the collected data.FindingsThis study explores various e-business modes and applications widely employed in the MENA region. It also addresses a set of e-business-driven competitive advantages that are mainly generated from supportive ICT environment, major market forces and strategic opportunities, and at last, from electronically driven customers’ relationship initiatives. A number of e-business barriers are claimed to moderate the relationship between those forces and the resulting competitive advantages.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this research main framework incorporates important variables based on theoretical and empirical foundations, integrating other factors may extend understanding of how these factors, independently and/or interactively, explain the adoption of e-business and its merit to create distinctive competitive advantage.Practical implicationsThis work helps managers and e-business experts alike to comprehend the ways through which firms target the applications of e-business technologies to realize a competitive edge in MENA region. It also helps practitioners and professionals comprehend the interrelationship between the type of forces drive e-business based competitive position and key barriers that deteriorate such a connection in emerging markets.Originality/valueA model that enables scholars to better understanding the e-business phenomenon in MENA market is developed and validated. This model rests on e-business experts’ perspectives, reflections and it is evidently substantiated by past works in the areas.

The benefits of e-business adoption: an empirical study of Iranian SMEs

The global nature of business today and the advances in information and communications technologies have compelled corporations to employ emerging technologies in order to remain competitive. Methodology: In recent years the electronic business has been adopted by many corporations to improve operational efficiency, profitability, and to strengthen their competitive position. This study examines the impact of web-based e-business on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Iran. Results: The analyses of data collected for this study provide valuable information to the executives of manufacturing and service SMEs. Conclusion: The findings show that the SMEs in the sample have benefited from e-business implementation in both operational and performance areas of their organization.

Top management team's green entrepreneurial attitude and its influence on green ebusiness adoption: empirical evidence from tour operators in Tanzania

ABSTRACTThis study assessed the influence of top management team’s green entrepreneurial attitudes on green e-business adoption. A multiple regression analysis was run to a sample of 148 tour operators, from Arusha, Kilimanajaro, Dar es Salaam and Unguja-Zanzibar. Interview responses were analysed using content analysis. The study revealed a positive and significant influence of managerial green entrepreneurial attitude (in terms of green affection, green cognition and green conation) on green eBusiness adoption. While some top management members were very positive towards green eBusiness adoption, several could not attach any value with their competitiveness. Prevalence of green washing was revealed, as an attempt for companies to overcome emerging green market pressures. The study highlights ecological practical business implications, which are in line with the SMEs generic characteristics in order to cultivate a positive green attitude that favours a triple bottom line of economical, social and environmental sustainable development.

The impact of organizational factors on-business adoption: An empirical analysis

Purpose: Provide empirical validation of the model developed by García Moreno et al. (2016) on the factors influencing the adoption of e-business in firms.Design/methodology/approach: Consideration is given to the method for measuring each one of the variables included in the model. Use has been made of the e-Business Watch database, which contains measures for the theoretical model’s three categories: firm, technology, and environment. Multinomial logistic regression models have been provided.Findings: The variables included have revealed significant statistical relationships for the model in question, although the intensity of the relationships differs. the variables related to the environment also reveal statistically significant relationships, whereby the attitude of trading partners appears to have a relevant and growing impact on e-business adoption.Research limitations/implications: Data come from just one database: the e-Business Watch database/enriched data from alternative databases could be included. Practical implications: The infrastructure of information and communications technologies (ICTs) is confirmed to be a determining factor in e-business development. Nevertheless, the effect of competitor rivalry has a more erratic influence that is encapsulated in a significant relationship in intermediate models, with a sharper increase in the likelihood of being in the category of customer-focused firms, and less internally focused.Social implications: The human capital linked to ICTs is a driving force behind the adoption of these practices. Albeit with a more moderate effect, note should also be taken of the capacity for entering into relationships with third parties within the scope of ICTs, with significant effects that become more robust as they are tested in models that seek to explain the probability of recording higher levels of e-business adoption. Originality/value: The article presents a first empirical analysis to apply the previous developed model published in this journal in 2016.

Organisational Factors Influencing E-business Adoption in Zimbabwe's Manufacturing Sector

Creating and sustaining competitive advantage through the adoption and implementation of innovative technologies is a strategic imperative for all learning organizations. Despite this, manufacturing companies in developing countries such as Zimbabwe are confronting challenges in implementing e-business practices. Against this background, the objective of this study was to understand organizational factors influencing e-business adoption in Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector. The study was motivated by the need to appreciate factors that facilitate or inhibit the adoption of e-business in the context of developing countries such as Zimbabwe. A questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 118 companies registered by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries in 2015. Regression analysis was used to test the posited hypotheses. Results revealed that manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe differ significantly in their inclination to adopt and implement e-business strategies. Innovation orientation, financial resources, perceived usefulness and size of the firm were found to be positively associated with e-business adoption. The study also found that technological resources did not have a statistically significant relationship with e-business adoption. The study furthers current debate on e-business adoption by identifying the drivers of e-business adoption in the manufacturing sector in the context of a developing country. The importance of this study lies in its contribution to theory and practice. In terms of theory, this study contributes to the body of knowledge on organizational factors influencing e-business adoption and provides avenues for further studies. In practice, the findings of this study add to the insights of managers in the manufacturing sector in developing countries, which influence the adoption of e-business practices.

Organisational Factors Influencing E-business Adoption in Zimbabwe’s Manufacturing Sector

Creating and sustaining competitive advantage through the adoption and implementation of innovative technologies is a strategic imperative for all learning organizations. Despite this, manufacturing companies in developing countries such as Zimbabwe are confronting challenges in implementing e-business practices. Against this background, the objective of this study was to understand organizational factors influencing e-business adoption in Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector. The study was motivated by the need to appreciate factors that facilitate or inhibit the adoption of e-business in the context of developing countries such as Zimbabwe. A questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 118 companies registered by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries in 2015. Regression analysis was used to test the posited hypotheses. Results revealed that manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe differ significantly in their inclination to adopt and implement e-business strategies. Innovation orientation, financial resources, perceived usefulness and size of the firm were found to be positively associated with e-business adoption. The study also found that technological resources did not have a statistically significant relationship with e-business adoption. The study furthers current debate on e-business adoption by identifying the drivers of e-business adoption in the manufacturing sector in the context of a developing country. The importance of this study lies in its contribution to theory and practice. In terms of theory, this study contributes to the body of knowledge on organizational factors influencing e-business adoption and provides avenues for further studies. In practice, the findings of this study add to the insights of managers in the manufacturing sector in developing countries, which influence the adoption of e-business practices.

An Investigative Analysis of Factors Influencing Ebusiness Adoption and Maintenance of Commercial Websites in Nigeria

The number of commercial organizations applying electronic commerce systems is on the rise when viewed globally. In the near future, this trend will become not only a tool to simply increase income, but without doubt will be considered an essential means for competition. Although Nigeria has the largest and fastest growing ICT marketplace in Sub-Saharan Africa, e-commerce activities have not progressed at a similar speed. In general, Nigerian retailers have not responded actively to the global growth of online retailing. Using a case study approach, various managers in six organisations from different states of the country were interviewed with a view to unravelling the factors influencing the adoption and maintenance of commercial websites in Nigeria. Analysis shows that consumer readiness is an influential factor for both developed and developing economies. Findings further revealed that most company websites are not maintained due mainly to absence of internal know-how by employees, time, and lack of continuous connectivity. This study contributes to a greater understanding of the factors that influence website adoption and maintenance within developing economies. And it provides insight to businesses contemplating setting up a website in developing economies on the successes and failures in the process of developing a commercial website.

Antecedents of e-business adoption intention: an empirical study

Purpose Recent advances in information and communication technologies has driven emergence and expansion of the internet with decreased computing and communication costs and paved the way for exploring, creating and delivering value to the stakeholders through e-business adoption by the hotel service providers. Keeping this context in mind, this study aims to develop a conceptual model to investigate the antecedent factors of e-business adoption intention among the owners/managers of Indian micro, small and medium hotel enterprises and empirically validates it. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from micro, small and medium hotel owners/managers with the help online survey method that resulted into 116 usable questionnaires. Structural equation modeling technique was applied to examine the appropriateness of the hypotheses. Findings Findings reveal that attitude toward e-business, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control positively influences e-business adoption intention among the owners/managers of micro, small and medium hotel enterprises in India. Research limitations/implications The context of this study is micro, small and medium hotel enterprises in India only and thereby limits the generalizability of results to other industry and country context. Practical implications This study offers theoretical and managerial implications to be applied by academicians and micro, small and medium enterprise owners/managers for e-business adoption in Indian hotel industry. Originality value This study can be considered as an extension of the study of Crespo and del Bosque (2008) in which they applied the theory of planned behavior to understand the psychological factors that determine e-business adoption among the managers and, thereby, contribute the existing literature, as empirical studies on e-business adoption intention by micro, small and medium hotel enterprises are scantly available.

Understanding the determinants of e-business adoption in ERP-enabled firms and non-ERP-enabled firms: A case study of the Western Balkan Peninsula

The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically and identify the factors that affect the adoption of e-business in enterprise resource planning (ERP) enabled firms and non-ERP-enabled firms. To assess the determinants that influence the adoption of e-business this study develops a research model that is based on the innovation and organizational characteristics from the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory and the environmental context from the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in five developing countries in Western Balkan, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), and data from 276 firms were collected. The data were analyzed by employing factorial analysis, and the relevant hypotheses were tested by logistic regression analysis. The obtained results indicate that ERP-enabled firms and non-ERP-enabled firms with certain perceived relative advantages, top management support, government resource support and government regulatory support are more likely to adopt e-business. The obtained results offer various perspectives for (1) managers in ERP-enabled firms and non-ERP-enabled firms, (2) e-business and ERP vendors, (3) governments of five developing countries and (4) practitioners from manufacturing, distribution and service industries.

Influenced Factors of Information Technology Outsourcing Decision for E-Business Adoption among Malaysian Small Medium Enterprises

Influenced Factors of Information Technology Outsourcing Decision for E-Business Adoption among Malaysian Small Medium Enterprises

How transformational leadership facilitates e-business adoption

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine theoretically and empirically what type of leadership facilitates e-business adoption in large manufacturing firms. The digital transformation of firms requires leadership that can promote the adaptive quality of organizational culture.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted an empirical study using two key informants from a sample of 181 incumbent firms.FindingsThe authors find significant evidence that adaptive culture is the vehicle by which transformational leaders positively influence e-business adoption.Originality/valueGiven the digital economy’s external pressures, many e-business adoption processes fail due to organizational factors originating in leadership and its capability to change followers’ values, norms, and motivations. To solve this problem, the authors propose a model that explains how transformational leadership first plays a key role in changing characteristics of culture and then facilitates e-business adoption.