Article

Determinants of E-Commerce Adoption amongst SMMEs in Durban, South Africa

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Abstract

In South Africa, the increasing number of cellphone internet users coupled with the growth of online shopping behaviour indicates that more South Africans are able to access the internet with the prospects of engaging with online businesses. Using the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI), this paper examines the determinants of e-commerce adoption by South African SMMEs in the Durban area. The persuasion variables of the DOI (relative advantage, compatibility and complexity) were tested against four (4) e-commerce options namely, customers payment by credit card through the SMME’s website, customers placing orders through the SMME’s website, providing customer services through the SMME’s website and placing orders with suppliers over the internet. Using convenience sampling, data was collected by means of a survey questionnaires administered to 200 SMME owners/managers. Usable responses were collected from 180 SMME owners/managers. This represents a 90% response rate. A Chi square test of independence was used to test the significance of association between the DOI variables and e-commerce adoption. Findings reveal that relative advantage and compatibility are the only DOI variables that significantly influence the decision to adopt e-commerce in Durban. Specifically, improving information exchange with customers, easier access to international markets, expansion of business reach, reduction of costs of maintaining up to-date company information and improving information exchange with suppliers are significant factors that inform the decision to adopt e-commerce in Durban. In addition, compatibility with existing company’s technology infrastructure and compatibility with company values significantly affect SMMEs’ decision to place orders with suppliers through the internet. Interestingly, the adoption of the other e-commerce options (online payment by credit card, online ordering and online customer services) is not significantly influenced by compatibility. The findings imply that in order to increase SMMEs’ e-commerce adoption, SMMEs need to be better acquainted with the benefits that derive from its adoption. Moreover, a stepwise approach to e-commerce adoption is advised, starting with e-commerce options that are compatible with SMMEs technology infrastructure and values then gradually moving to more sophisticated e-commerce options. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n25p250

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... In this Internet age, one form of SMME empowerment is the adoption of e-commerce [13]. The use of e-commerce has often been cited as a significant factor in generating and sustaining SMME growth [36]. Since the introduction of the concept of e-commerce, there has not been a unified definition. ...
... Another recent study showed a positive relationship between absorptive capacity and e-commerce adoption by SMMEs in Iraq [71]. This positive relationship was depicted by Rogers' [72] diffusion of innovation theory, and was confirmed by many subsequent studies [7,13,36,46]. As product, process, and marketing innovations are measurements of absorptive capacity, it is possible to infer that there is a positive association between these measurements and e-commerce adoption by SMMEs. ...
... The study showed that CEOs' information ability and confidence were significant factors that stimulated e-commerce adoption by SMMEs. Although the existing literature suggested that owner/manager characteristics will have an impact on the adoption of e-commerce by SMMEs [36,47], recent studies have added the dimension of CEOs' ability when studying SMME behavior. For example, in South Korea, the CEO's ability to discover new business opportunities had a positive effect on the performance of an SMME [49]. ...
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The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics, absorptive capacity, and e-commerce adoption in SMMEs. To achieve this objective, the study analyzed primary data gathered from 2675 small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in China. A logistic regression model was employed to estimate how the CEO characteristics and absorptive capacity of SMMEs influenced their e-commerce adoption. The study revealed a significant positive relationship between CEO information ability, confidence, and e-commerce adoption. Additionally, this study confirmed a positive relationship between absorptive capacity and the adoption of e-commerce.
... Nevertheless, the study did not look further into different aspects of relative advantage. The work of Poorangi et al. (2013) could be complemented by Ndayizigamiye and McArthur (2014) and Solaymani et al. (2012). ...
... The findings of Ndayizigamiye and McArthur (2014) revealed that relative advantage (such as improvement of information access, expansion of markets, and cost reduction in maintaining up to-date company information) and owners or management enthusiasm towards e-commerce adoption would significantly drive small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises (SMME) to adopt e-commerce. Congruent with Ndayizigamiye and McArthur (2014), Solaymani et al. (2012) also advocated that cost reduction (lower level of the internet service costs and free-ofcharge e-commerce facilities provided by the government) motivates firms to adopt e-commerce. ...
... The findings of Ndayizigamiye and McArthur (2014) revealed that relative advantage (such as improvement of information access, expansion of markets, and cost reduction in maintaining up to-date company information) and owners or management enthusiasm towards e-commerce adoption would significantly drive small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises (SMME) to adopt e-commerce. Congruent with Ndayizigamiye and McArthur (2014), Solaymani et al. (2012) also advocated that cost reduction (lower level of the internet service costs and free-ofcharge e-commerce facilities provided by the government) motivates firms to adopt e-commerce. Besides, the compatibility of e-commerce with both the company's preferred work practices and values of the firm also significantly influences the implementation of e-commerce in SMMEs (Ahmad et al., 2015;Maryeni et al., 2012;Ndayizigamiye and McArthur, 2014). ...
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The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive literature review of the e-commerce adoption studies. This paper investigated the papers that have been published and indexed in the Scopus database for the period from 2012-2017. This study found that e-commerce adoption studies can be classified into six themes: factors affecting e-commerce adoption, barrier of e-commerce adoption, implication of e-commerce adoption, e-commerce adoption process, improvement of e-commerce adoption and e-commerce web attraction. It is found that existing literature has given considerable attention to the drivers that facilitate e-commerce adoption while other themes have received far less attention from researchers. The significant factors that influence e-commerce adoption includes management's support, the role of government, perceived benefits, external pressures, organizational readiness, IT-related skills, capabilities and infrastructure, among others. Such limited scope of study efforts could only provide a stagnant view towards partial understanding of the dynamic diffusion process of e-commerce. Future research shall be extended to explore e-commerce adoption from the process perspective and investigate the post-adoption stages of e-commerce to observe how e-commerce adoption evolves over time.
... The first technological perspective focuses on the adoption of information systems and information technology. In this adoption perspective, a number of studies (Naylor & Williams, 1994;Cragg & King, 1993;Raymond & Pare, 1992) have sought to examine how IT is used in small firms with particular emphasis on determinants or inhibitors of IT implementation (Ndayizigamiye, 2012, Ndayizigamiye & McArthur, 2014. ...
... A preliminary literature search on e-commerce adoption revealed that many researchers have mainly focused on the internal and external determinants of e-commerce (Tan, Tyler & Manica, 2007;Molla & Licker, 2005;Saffu, Walker & Hinson, 2008;Ndayizigamiye & McArthur, 2014;Ndayizigamiye, 2014). This chapter investigates a different perspective, that is the relationship between SMMEs geographic coverage and e-Commerce adoption. ...
Chapter
This chapter examines South African SMMEs adoption of e-commerce. The chapter is concerned with four e-commerce adoption options: 1) customer payment by credit card through the SMME's website, 2) customer placing orders through the SMME's website, 3) providing customer services through the SMME's website, and 4) placing orders with suppliers over the internet. By using a sample of 400 conveniently sampled SMME owners, this chapter explores the adoption of the four e-commerce options in two geographic areas within South Africa, Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Specifically, the chapter seeks to establish the extent of the adoption of the four e-commerce options in both locations in relation to the SMMEs' business coverage. Findings revealed that although SMMEs from Durban and Pietermaritzburg have adopted all of the four e-commerce options to various degrees, such adoption is only significant for SMMEs whose business operations extend beyond the local level. Additionally, internet security was identified as a key impediment towards e-commerce adoption in both areas.
... This journal serves managers, professionals, database administrators, and senior executives of organizations, which design, implement and manage Information Systems Applications. The major aims of the journal are (1) to collect and disseminate information on new and advanced developments in the field of applied information systems; (2) to provide material for training and education in administrative data systems; (3) to encourage further progress in information systems methodology and applications; and (4) to cover the range of information system development and usage in their use of managerial policies, strategies, and activities, for business, public administration, and international organizations [135]. ...
... McArthur [135]. ...
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This article presents findings of a study that aimed to identify key factors in the adoption of e-commerce. The study involved a bibliometric analysis of statistical information from 408 scientific publications related to the theme, registered in the Scopus database, through a structured search equation. The collected records were used to calculate bibliometric indicators of quantity, quality and structure. Additionally, an analysis of increasing, decreasing, and emerging thematics was carried out to identify the topics of greatest interest on this subject. Findings indicate that this is a prolific research field, in which the fastest growing topic is the study of e-commerce adoption in small and medium sized enterprises in emerging economies. The analysis also revealed the current use of new models to evaluate adoption factors. That is the case of the Technology Organization Environment Framework used as an alternative to the Technology Acceptance Model--which remains the most widely used. Likewise, Structural Equation Analysis was found to be one of the most frequently used options for statistical analysis in the publications studied. A research agenda intending to contribute with directions for further research in the area is presented at the end of the article.
... SME perception,Poorangi et al. (2013),Slyke et al. (2010),Mndzebele (2013), Jumayah et. al (2013,Ndayizigamiye and McArthur (2014), Magutu et al. (2011), UNCTAD (2015, andNickels (2015) show that the support of top management is a factor influencing technology adoption.Rahayu (2015), White et al.(2014), Khan et al. (2014), Ozlen et al. (2014) suggested that factors affecting technology adoption is the perceived benefits. External drive suggested by Bodesee (2013), Jumayah et al. (2013), Rawat (2013), Xuan (2007), Al-Shboul et al. (2014), and organizational readiness by Kinuthia and Akinnusi (2014), Yu and Dong (2013), Jumayah et al. (2013), AlGhamdi et al. (2013), Tran et al. (2013). ...
... perspektiflayanan, e-commerce adalah alat untuk mencapai tujuan organisasi dan pelanggan, dan untuk dengan tepat secara signifikan meningkatkan waktu pengiriman.(4)perspektif online, e-commerce menyediakan kemampuan untuk melihat dan membeli produk dan informasi dari internet atau layanan online lainnya(Ndayizigamiye & McArthur, 2014). Sehingga secara umum model e-commerce dapat dikategorikan kedalam hubungan Businessto-Business (B2B),, Consumerto-Business (C2B), Business-to-Government (B2G), Government-to-Business (G2G), Government-to-Citizen (G2C)(Alnaser, AlShamaileh, Saeed, & Alrawashedh, 2018). ...
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Usaha mikro, kecil dan menegah merupakan kegiatan usaha yang mampu memperluas lapangan kerja dan memberikan pelayanan ekonomi secara luas, dan dapat berperan dalam proses pemerataan dan peningkatan pendapatan masyarakat, pendorong pertumbuhan ekonomi dan berperan dalam mewujudkan stabilitas nasional. Walaupun dari sisi jumlah cukup besar, tampaknya UMKM di kota Kendari belum memberikan kontribusi yang sepandan dengan jumlahnya dalam mendorong pertumbuhan ekonomi dan meningkatan pendapatan masyarakat yang lebih tinggi. Kondisi tersebut semakin di perparah dampak pandemic Covid-19. Wabah Covid-19 tidak hanya memberikan dampak pada aspek kesehatan, tetapi juga pada aspek ekonomi. Berbagai langkah strategis telah ditempuh untuk meningkatkan daya saing dan akses pasar UMKM, diantaranya adalah transformasi teknologi e-commerce. Walupun potensi penggunaan E-Commerce sangat besar tampaknya UMKM belum mengambil peluang tersebut. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah; (1) Untuk mengetahui faktor pendorong adopsi e-commerce pada UMKM di kota Kendari, (2) Untuk mengetahui apa saja yang menjadi faktor penghambat adopsi e-commerce pada UMKM di kota Kendari. Penelitian ini akan dilaksanakan di kota kendari dengan mengambil sampel sebanyak 242 unit UMKM dari jumlah populasi 1609. Hasil penelitian menujukkan bahwa dukungan konsumen, dukungan organisasional, dan dukungan pengetahuan menjadi aspek pendukung adopsi e-commerce. Hambatan teknis, hambatan keuangan, hambatan hukum dan peraturan menjadi faktor penhambat adopsi e-commerce pada UMKM di Kota kendari.
... Many firms are still unable to adopt and use e-commerce, given the lack of ICT infrastructure, poor Internet security, a high prevalence of illiteracy and a scarcity of favourable legal frameworks (Park-Kang, 2014;Yingi, Hlungwani, & Nyagadza, 2022). According to Ndayizigamiye and MCarthur (2014), some of the factors that drive e-commerce adoption in Durban, South Africa, are compatibility with technology infrastructure and value. ...
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Purpose – This study investigates the factors influencing re-usage intention of online and mobile grocery shopping among young adult consumers in South Africa. Design/Methodology/Approach – Data was collected from selected young adult participants using a stratified probability sampling strategy. Smart PLS was used to analyse the data. Findings – The findings of the study indicate that Perceived Usefulness (PU), Peer Review (PR) and Attitude (ATT) positively influence Continuance Intention (CI). Research Limitations/Implications – In line with the available literature, there are few prior post-adoption studies that delineate the influence of individual characteristics on digital commerce usage activities. There is high mobile penetration as a result of positive digital commerce and mobile application usage and adoption, creating the need to investigate and better understand the drivers behind, not just adoption and usage, but continued use of digital commerce platforms and applications. Since the sample size is relatively small, further future research studies can test the same model with bigger sample sizes to assess generalisability of the results in different locations. Practical Implications – This study adds to the current literature by concentrating on the extent to which systems and marketing elements influence young adult customers' intention to continue using online and mobile grocery shopping platforms in South Africa. Originality/Value – The study adds value from a theoretical standpoint, contributing to the antecedent factors of TAM, TRA, and S-O-R and giving marketing academics insights into what aspects drive re-use of online and mobile grocery shopping and on what should be the focus.
... E-commerce has numerous benefits, as illustrated in many studies, such as convenient online shopping at any time of day, saving time, comparing prices on different websites before completing actual purchases, and receivingthe delivery at one's doorstep. Studies have shown that Internet access has increased in SMEs via different devices such as computers, laptops, iPads, and smartphones,and fuelled the growth of e-commerce on the local and international markets (Ndayizigamiye and McArthur, 2014). The restrictions on travel to combat the spread of COVID-19 have given e-commerce a good platform to thrive due to its many benefits such as convenient online shopping (Baskaran, 2019;Fazal et al., 2020). ...
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This study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 and sustainable e-commerce in Hungary and Kenya. COVID-19 has devastated the global economy, resulting in financial and job losses. Routine changes in spending have moved the focus from non-essential to essential items, due to the impact of COVID-19, the associated economic meltdown, and the deterioration of people’s physical and mental health. However, e-commerce can be a better option to stop the spread of COVID-19 due to its real benefits and usefulness in solving the challenges faced. The methodology used in this paper is the collection of primary data from an online survey questionnaire, and secondary data from several databases,e.g.,the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Johns Hop-kins Centre websites. The results show the negative impact of COVID-19 on society and the economy, as well as the positive and significant effects ofthe growth of e-commerce during COVID-19, where most of the goods being purchased are medical supplies: masks, medicines, and food. This has been made possibleby the rise of e-commerce platforms as a link in sustainable e-commerce after the significant disruption to the worldwide supply chain due to total lockdown. E-commerce has shown growth during the COVID-19 pandemic period as a sustainable platform. In conclusion, this study proposes policies that support e-commerce in developing countries during and after COVID-19. Furthermore, theoretical, and managerial implications are proposed in the study. It is high time to warn businesses to adopt information and communications technology (ICT) to flourish and thrive during times of financial and economic hardship, such as the use of e-commerce with the right policies enacted to support sustainable e-commerce.
... Debe tenerse presente que este fenómeno se encuentra en una etapa incipiente en países en desarrollo, incluido México. La literatura es abundante en países desarrollados, la UE (Tunay et al., 2015(Tunay et al., , 2015Oliveira & Martins, 2010;Satsios, 2009), algunos de países en desarrollo (Hammoud, Bizri, & El Baba, 2018;Ndayizigamiye & McArthur, 2014;Ingle & Pardeshi, 2012) o de la región de América Latina y el Caribe (ALyC) (Baños & Quintero, 2017;Yamakawa et al., 2013;Tavera Mesías et al., 2011). Como se mencionó antes México se encuentra en penúltimo lugar en comercio electrónico entre los países de la OCDE. ...
Preprint
RESUMEN Se analizan los determinantes sociodemográficos y económicos que impactan en la adopción y apropiación del Internet en México. Se emplean modelos de probabilidad Logit y la técnica de Heckman para modelar microdatos de una encuesta nacional de telecomunicaciones del año 2018. Se construye un índice compuesto con base en activos de telecomunicaciones de los individuos. Los resultados indican una agudización de la brecha digital en el uso de propósito del Internet, con mayor ventaja entre las personas con alto nivel educativo, jóvenes, con experiencia y habilidad en el uso de dispositivos electrónicos y residentes en zonas urbanas. Palabras clave: comercio electrónico / banca en línea; Logit; Heckman; ENDUTIH; México. JEL: C25, O12, C13, C81 ABSTRACT I analyze the sociodemographic and economic determinants that impact the adoption and appropriation of the Internet in Mexico. I propose Logit probability models and I use the Heckman technique to model microdata from a national telecommunications survey of 2018. I construct a composite index based on individuals' telecommunications assets. The results indicate a sharpening of the digital divide in the use of Internet purpose, with greater advantage among people with high
... On the other hand, McGregor and Vrazalic (2008) argue that SMME owners do not adopt ecommerce because they either perceive it to be very complex or not appropriate to their businesses. In the South African context, Ndayizigamiye and McArthur (2014) have found that compatibility with existing companies' technology infrastructure significantly relates to SMMEs' adoption of e-commerce. Cloete, Courtney and Fintz (2002) argue that e-commerce activities span from entry-level activities to sophisticated activities. ...
Conference Paper
~ South Africa is currently experiencing a steady growth of the e-commerce business. Indeed, South African companies that have an online presence are able to leverage e-commerce to attract customers and make online profits. However, despite the dynamic nature of technology innovations, factors that relate to e-commerce adoption have not been widely investigated. Particularly, there is a need to investigate the enablers that significantly relate to e-commerce adoption in order to make an informed decision about future e-commerce ventures. It is in this context that this paper analyses the relationship between e-commerce enablers and the adoption of e-commerce in the specific context of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The study used a quantitative research approach and a survey as the research design. Questionnaires were administered to 247 SMME owners and managers in the Durban and Pietermaritzburg areas of the KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine whether there was any significant relationship between e-commerce enablers and SMMEs' adoption of e-commerce. Findings showed that having a company-wide strategy to adopt e-commerce and technology-related enablers within a firm, significantly related to the adoption of e-commerce within the surveyed SMMEs. Hence, this paper advocates that SMMEs should appropriately align e-commerce to their business strategy. The starting point should be to define the strategic value of e-commerce to their business, and then develop an e-commerce implementation plan that is aligned with the identified strategic value. In addition, this paper suggests that SMMEs should gradually endeavour to have technological capabilities such as an email address, internet access, a website, a computerised database of customers, a computerised database of suppliers and a computerised inventory of products and services as they progress through the e-commerce adoption ladder. On the other hand, this paper suggests that public and private interventions geared toward supporting South African SMMEs should also focus on IT support.
... Park and Kang (2014) highlight lack of ICT infrastructure, poor internet security, high illiteracy rate, and lack of beneficial legal frameworks as some of the challenging factors that hinder many organisations in developing in the adoption and use of e-commerce. Ndayizigamiye and McArthur (2014) argue that some of factors that influence e-commerce adoption in Durban, South Africa, are compatible with technology infrastructure and value. ...
Article
Over the years, the adoption and use of e‐commerce have expanded widely in different organisations across the world, influenced by its potential benefits. Conversely, in spite of the benefits that have been commonly and widely reported, there are minimal adoption and use of e‐commerce by South African businesses, specifically, in the retail sector. The causes to the limited adoption of e‐commerce in South Africa are not known. This empirical study therefore investigates the factors that influence and affect the adoption and use of e‐commerce in the mainstream retail grocery sector in South Africa. A retail organisation was selected and used as a case in the study. Actor‐network theory (ANT) was employed as a lens to guide the analysis of the qualitative data. Based on empirical evidence, the findings, which include business drivers, stock of knowledge, alliance of actors, training and skills, and assimilation of processes, were found important in the adoption and use of e‐commerce. The factors are intended to guide how adoption and use of e‐commerce are conducted in the mainstream retail grocery sector in South Africa.
... Number of studies from other Asian countries and African countries were almost equivalent. The scope of studies conducted in Africa focused on driving factor of e-commerce adoption [39], [40], [41], [42]. Besides, it seems that the scope on the barrier of e-commerce adoption [43], [44], [45] was also fairly attractive for researchers in Africa. ...
... Number of studies from other Asian countries and African countries were almost equivalent. The scope of studies conducted in Africa focused on driving factor of e-commerce adoption [39], [40], [41], [42]. Besides, it seems that the scope on the barrier of e-commerce adoption [43], [44], [45] was also fairly attractive for researchers in Africa. ...
Conference Paper
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Based on the review on the available literature sources, this paper comprehensively discusses the identified studies which have been done in the context of e-commerce adoption. Seventy-three (73) papers have been extracted from Elsevier’s Scopus database. Those papers were analyzed based on the distribution of publication, the scope demography, the research approach and research method and the adapted theory or conceptual framework. The result of the study found that publications in e-commerce research rose to peak year in 2015. Most of the e-commerce adoption studies were carried out in Southeast Asia (26%) and determining factors of e-commerce adoption was the most popular theme across region. Despite of its popularity, the findings were inconclusive in terms of specific determinants that significantly contributed towards e-commerce adoption. However, it is found that variables from the organizational context and external environment context significantly contributed towards e-commerce adoption. Most of the studies preferred quantitative approach (71.2%), especially in employing questionnaire methods. The result of the theory analysis reveals that the most frequently used conceptual framework was TOE framework, while many studies (24.7%) did not take into account of specific conceptual framework. Only a few researchers (11%) had used self-developed conceptual framework rather than existing framework. In term of scope, majority of the studies focused on the factors that encourage e-commerce adoption. Such limited scope of studies efforts could only provide a partial understanding of the diffusion process. Future research shall go further to investigate the post-adoption stages of e-commerce. The limitation of single database and keywords might fail to give more extensive retrieved number of articles in the study.
... Similar studies in India [24], Vietnam [26] and Pakistan [27] had been conducted also in South Africa, Durban [25]. These studies addressed the adoption of E-commerce, E-procurement and barriers to IT adoption by SMMEs. ...
Conference Paper
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Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) are considered as thriving businesses in most South African Townships and they also play a role in creating employment especially when they achieve growth. This study examines the impact that Information Technology (IT) has had the growth of SMMEs, the value add of IT Infrastructure to those businesses, the IT knowledge that small business owners need to acquire in order to make their businesses more technology efficient, the business risks presented by the adoption of IT and those risks presented by the failure to adopt IT, the importance and integration of IT in small businesses is also examined by this study. There had been a steady progress made by Soweto's SMMEs with regards to adopting various Information Technologies into their business operations, which is to a certain extent an achievement as prior 1994 South Africa's black townships were largely neglected.
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Electronic payment refers to the use of electronic means of cash and related transactions, usually involving the use of computer networks such as the Internet and digital preserved value systems. Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa lack statistical information on the current state of the e-commerce market. Besides, a lack of trust in service providers also hinders the development of e-commerce. As such, this paper aims to examine e-commerce payment choice among e-commerce users and to determine the relationship between the factors to assess e-commerce payment and the accessibility of e-commerce in Somalia. The research method used is quantitative with a survey design. The questionnaire was distributed to 384 respondents, who are Hormuud Telecom subscribers residing in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. The findings indicated that there is a positive relationship between online payment choice and accessibility of e-commerce, as well as a positive relationship between customer trust and accessibility of e-commerce. In conclusion, this study suggests that electronic payment can replace the paper payment method and customer trust plays an important role in e-commerce accessibility in Somalia.
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Purpose – This paper sets out to examine the relationship between the perceptions of the strategic value of e‐commerce and e‐commerce adoption among 107 owners/managers of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in a transitional economy, Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The membership of the top 100 Ghanaian businesses, called the Ghana Club 100 (GC 100), and non‐traditional exporters (NTEs) was surveyed using a structured questionnaire in face‐to‐face interviews. Principal axis factoring with varimax rotation was employed to identify and estimate the constructs in the model, followed by an exploratory factor analysis to test for the inclusion of all items in the model. Finally, canonical analysis was employed to study the interrelationships among the sets of multiple dependent and multiple independent variables. By so doing control for moderator effects existing among various variables was effected. Findings – Organizational support was the strongest predictor on the perceived strategic value (PSV) construct, followed by managerial productivity, and decision aids. Perceived usefulness, compatibility, external pressure and organizational pressure were found to be statistically significant determinants of e‐commerce adoption. These findings are consistent with prior studies. Additionally, it was found that ease of use was also influential in the e‐commerce adoption decision of Ghanaian SMEs. Originality/value – The study shows the value that SME owners/managers in a transitional economy place on e‐commerce, and the role envisaged for it. The study also provides an insight into the e‐commerce adoption in a transitional economy context. Owners/managers of SMEs in other developing countries may find the study useful in making decisions relating to e‐commerce adoption. The impact of the perceptions of e‐commerce and e‐commerce adoption on firm performance in transitional economies is a worthy area for future research. Replication of the study in other transitional economies is therefore warranted.
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Firms across the globe have adopted e-commerce (EC) in their operations and have reaped benefits thereof. While firms in technologically developed countries like US and UK has deployed EC to its advantage, whereas firms in developing countries like India failed to follow the suit. Though it has been widely acknowledged by the researchers that the adoption of EC by businesses in developing countries is an important economic indicator of growth; many firms in India still have not realized the potential benefits of EC. This study examines the existing status of EC in India and reviews the available literature on E-commerce adoption in India and puts forth opportunities for future research. The study might serve as a starting point for further research in e-commerce in India.
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Judging by the wealth of problems reported in the literature, information systems (IS) and general managers are not sure how to manage the introduction of new information technology. One step toward providing sound management guidelines is to improve understanding of the social forces which affect the introduction and diffusion process within organizations. This research takes a step toward that goal by examining the validity of innovation diffusion theory within the context of end-user computing. The research involved a field study and historical analysis of the diffusion of spreadsheet software in organizations. To assist in controlling exogenous factors, only finance and accounting departments were studied. Over 500 professionals in 24 business units from 18 large businesses in manufacturing and services participated in the research. Findings supported hypotheses that earlier adopters of spreadsheet software were younger, more highly educated, more attuned to mass media, more involved in interpersonal communication, and more likely to be opinion leaders. Also supported was the hypothesized sigmoidal distribution of adoption over time. Application of the theory was not supported in all areas, however, suggesting that information technology diffusion is different from other diffusion phenomena. Contrary to theory, interpersonal channels of communication were dominant in all phases of adoption decision making. And contrary to their hypothesized role as change agent, IS departments played a minor role in the diffusion process. This was consistent with the observed user-led nature of the phenomenon. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
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This study surveys the perceptions and experiences of Australian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the implementation of Internet-based Electronic Commerce (EC) as seen from the perspective of the extent of deployment. With a sample of 115 small businesses in Australia, this article uses regression modelling to explore and establish the factors that are related to the extent of deployment in EC. A multiple regression analysis shows that seven factors: perceived relative advantage, trialability, observability, variety of information sources, communication amount, competitive pressure, and non-trading institutional influences, significantly influence the extent of EC deployment by SMEs in Australia. The managerial implications are discussed.
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This study surveys the perceptions and experience of Australian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the adoption and implementation of Internet-based Electronic Commerce. Employing Rogers (1995) model of innovation diffusion as the framework and considering Electronic Commerce (EC) as a form of new innovation, we analyse factors affecting EC implementation success. With a sample of 71 small businesses in Australia, preliminary results show that respondents' perception of the attributes of Internet-based EC are pre-dominantly positive. However, a further analysis was carried out regressing overall satisfaction of EC implementation on the five attributes of innovation. It was found that only 3 characteristics - perceived relative advantage, compatibility and complexity to make a significant contribution to the implementation success of Internet-based EC adoption.
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this report dealing with e-commerce in the least developed countries
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