Internet Retailing Adoption by Small-to-Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs): A Multiple-Case Study

Despite the proliferation of Internet retailing and the relative novelty and complexity of this phenomenon, very little theory-guided qualitative research has been conducted to improve our understanding of the adoption of Internet retailing project by SMEs. This study presents a theoretical framework for analyzing the adoption of Internet retailing for SMEs. Organizational readiness (IT sophistication, financial resources, and customer readiness), perceived benefits of Internet retailing, and environmental factors are proposed to be the key drivers of adoption of Internet retailing. This research was designed using a qualitative approach through in-depth case studies selected from firms in Hong Kong where there is a proliferation of SMEs. The contextual meaning and practical manifestation of the key adoption factors were captured through the case studies. Our findings provide preliminary support for the proposed research framework, and contribute towards a better conceptual and practical understanding of the main factors driving SMEs to adopt Internet retailing. Contrary to popular belief, customer readiness for Internet shopping was not found to be a significant factor influencing SMEs' decision to adopt Internet retailing.     

Adoption of ICT in a government organization in a developing country: An empirical study

eGovernment initiatives all over the world endeavor to integrate Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to transform delivery of government services to their stakeholders by improving quality of services, accountability and efficiency. In this study we explore adoption of ICT to enhance government-to-employee interactions in a government organization in a developing country. We examine this adoption behavior by utilizing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) that provides an integrative view of user acceptance. We found that performance and effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions all positively impact the use of the ICT. We did not find a significant moderating effect of gender on these relationships.     

The adoption and diffusion of e-commerce in developing countries: The case of an NGO in Jordan

The case study in this research involves a nongovernmental organization (NGO) in Jordan in the Middle East, which attempted to utilize electronic commerce (EC) to streamline its business processes and information flow to businesses in Jordan and to other international businesses interested in the Jordanian market. The NGO managed to achieve these tasks expeditiously, and its EC initiative assisted in adding an effective digital parallel to existing systems and processes in this NGO. The NGO is directly involved in the e-government initiative empowered by H.M. King Abdullah II. At this end, with this royal support, the NGO successfully adopted EC. During the adoption and implementation process, the organization encountered numerous difficulties, as detailed in this research. However, the full success of EC was hampered by other factors. Initially, other governmental entities related indirectly to this NGO were not EC-ready. Second, although Web site utilization was growing in this NGO, most member merchants were reluctant to switch to the online arena and to abandon traditional practices in obtaining information and resources from this NGO. However, the NGO is aware of these concerns and envisages resolving such hurdles in its medium- to long-term projections. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Developing a B2B E-Commerce Implementation Framework: A Study of EDI Implementation for Procurement

ABSTRACT

A case study was performed examining the electronic data interchange (EDI) implementation projects of four divisions of an aerospace company. By interviewing both partners in the relationship, a business-to-business (B2B) electronic commerce (e-commerce) implementation framework was developed. The framework provides guidelines for the type of e-business partnership to be pursued based on the volume of transactions (low vs. high) and complexity of transactions (simple vs. complex). Machine-to-machine B2B solutions should be pursued when the there is a high transaction volume of simple transactions. In other situations, potential B2B solutions include: e-business pull, partner access-extranet/push, or manual e-transmission.     

Developing a B2B E-Commerce Implementation Framework: A Study of EDI Implementation for Procurement

A case study was performed examining the electronic data interchange (EDI) implementation projects of four divisions of an aerospace company. By interviewing both partners in the relationship, a business-to-business (B2B) electronic commerce (e-commerce) implementation framework was developed. The framework provides guidelines for the type of e-business partnership to be pursued based on the volume of transactions (low vs. high) and complexity of transactions (simple vs. complex). Machine-to-machine B2B solutions should be pursued when the there is a high transaction volume of simple transactions. In other situations, potential B2B solutions include: e-business pull, partner access-extranet/push, or manual e-transmission.     

Adoption of e-Government Services in Pakistan: A Comparative Study Between Online and Offline Users

An empirical study was conducted to investigate the critical factors influencing the citizens’ intention to adopt e-government services at different levels of service maturity, i.e., information and transaction levels. An integrated conceptual model is proposed and validated. Data were collected using the quota sampling method from two user groups, i.e., online and offline. The empirical evidence, discussion, and recommendations provide guidelines to the Pakistani government to follow in order to increase citizens’ potential to utilize e-government services.     

Developing technological capabilities for Industry 4.0 adoption: An analysis of the role of inbound open innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises

To keep up with rapid technological change, firms are pushed to acquire new competencies and resources, often leveraging the external networks in which they are involved. The paper examines how firms' engagement in inbound open innovation (OI) enables the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the deployment of technological capabilities. We combine the OI and dynamic capabilities frameworks to assess how the absorption of knowledge from different actors impacts the necessary technological capabilities for adopting I4.0 technologies. The capabilities are categorized in technological sensing, seizing and reconfiguring. The study is based on in-depth case studies of two selected SMEs from the footwear industry. The cases show that engaging in external collaborations, particularly with universities, pushes SMEs to renew the bundle of competencies underlying their technological capabilities. However, this effect is influenced by the OI modalities adopted by both companies. While in Company A OI takes place through a broader array of formal and informal linkages that contribute to the exploration of distant knowledge bases and the experimentation of more diverse technologies, such as the Internet of Things, Company B relies on informal networking concentrated in its own field of specialization for the adoption of manufacturing-specific I4.0 solutions, such as automated robots and 3D printing.     

Youth,mobility and mobile phones in Africa: findings from a three-country study

The penetration of mobile phones into sub-Saharan Africa has occurred with amazing rapidity: for many young people, they now represent a very significant element of their daily life. This paper explores usage and perceived impacts among young people aged c. 9–18 years in three countries: Ghana, Malawi and South Africa. Our evidence comes from intensive qualitative research with young people, their parents, teachers and other key informants (in-depth interviews, focus groups and school essays) and a follow-up questionnaire survey administered to nearly 3000 young people in 24 study sites. The study was conducted in eight different sites in each country (i.e. urban, peri-urban, rural and remote rural sites in each of two agro-ecological zones), enabling comparison of experiences in diverse spatial contexts. The evidence, collected within a broader research study of child mobility, allows us to examine current patterns of usage among young people with particular attention to the way these are emerging in different locational contexts and to explore connections between young people's phone usage, virtual and physical mobilities and broader implications for social change. The issues of gender and inter-generational relations are important elements in this account.     

An investigation of enablers and inhibitors of crowdfunding adoption: Empirical evidence from startups in China

In recent years, crowdfunding has emerged as a new fundraising technique for startup ventures. Crowdfunding allows small businesses and startups to seek funding from a large number of private investors, the so‐called “crowdfunders.” Crowdfunding is beneficial for startup ventures by offering a variety of financial and nonfinancial benefits such as helping to solve funding difficulties, providing value‐added involvement, facilitating access to further funding, and providing publicity. In contrast, diffusion processes of new business innovations have become increasingly complicatedly and multifaceted in recent years. Potential users today are exposed to a wide range of influences that include word‐of‐mouth communications, network externalities, and social signals. Despite the advantages associated with crowdfunding, the crowdfunding industry faces slow rates of diffusion in the Chinese market because crowdfunding ventures often fail to translate into adoption behavior. This study investigates the enablers and inhibitors of crowdfunding adoption intention from the perspective of startups by employing the two‐factor theory, status quo bias theory, and innovation diffusion theory. These theories allow crowdfunding researchers and platform managers to test the relative influence of both reasons for (enablers) and reasons against (inhibitors) crowdfunding adoption in a single framework. In conclusion, considering the phenomenon of startups in China, the results of this study will fill the paucity of empirical research in the innovation resistance area, shedding light on the motivation of entrepreneurs to avoid crowdfunding as a financing course as well as providing crowdfunding managers and policymakers with strategic recommendations.     

Factors affecting the adoption of information and communication technology in small and medium enterprises: a perspective from rural Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can play an important role in the national economy of developing countries. The adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) has enabled local SMEs to participate in the international market. However, little research has addressed issues related to SMEs adopting ICTs, especially in rural areas of Middle Eastern developing countries such as Saudi Arabia. Using the extended technology-organization-environment framework with personal innovativeness, this study examined the factors that influence the adoption of ICTs among SMEs in rural areas of Saudi Arabia. The study found that relative advantages, top management support, culture, regulatory environment, owner/manager innovativeness and ICT knowledge had a significant relationship with ICT adoption among SMEs in Saudi Arabia, whereas compatibility, complexity and a competitive environment had no significant relationship with ICT adoption. The findings of this study will potentially help SME managers/owners and the Saudi government in the successful adoption and diffusion of ICT in SMEs located in rural areas in Saudi Arabia.     

Role Negotiation and Interaction: An Exploratory Case Study of the Impact of Management Consultants on ERP System Implementation in SMEs in Taiwan

Abstract

With growing pressures for collaborative information systems (IS) partnerships, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation has been an important activity for improving supply chains efficiency in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Historically ERP consultants usually take a product-selling approach in SMEs, providing limited management consultancy services. However, a more constructive role for management consultants has become an emerging and challenging issue. This study explored the involvement of management consultants in ERP implementation, particularly with internal managers, ERP consultants and other project members. Extensive interviews were conducted with management consultants as well as 47 project members from four different SMEs in Taiwan employing ERP consultants. Using a grounded theory methodology, prior literature was used to sensitize the findings to key concepts of importance. The results were then analyzed and we described how owner-managers regard management consultants and how the consultants use role negotiation skills to work with both internal managers and ERP consultants. The study found resistance toward management consultants primarily from managers in SMEs, and not owner-managers. The relationships between management consultants and SME managers also differed from similar relationships in large organizations. Suggestions are also provided for academics and practitioners along with areas for future research to extend these exploratory findings.     

Role Negotiation and Interaction: An Exploratory Case Study of the Impact of Management Consultants on ERP System Implementation in SMEs in Taiwan

With growing pressures for collaborative information systems (IS) partnerships, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation has been an important activity for improving supply chains efficiency in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Historically ERP consultants usually take a product-selling approach in SMEs, providing limited management consultancy services. However, a more constructive role for management consultants has become an emerging and challenging issue. This study explored the involvement of management consultants in ERP implementation, particularly with internal managers, ERP consultants and other project members. Extensive interviews were conducted with management consultants as well as 47 project members from four different SMEs in Taiwan employing ERP consultants. Using a grounded theory methodology, prior literature was used to sensitize the findings to key concepts of importance. The results were then analyzed and we described how owner-managers regard management consultants and how the consultants use role negotiation skills to work with both internal managers and ERP consultants. The study found resistance toward management consultants primarily from managers in SMEs, and not owner-managers. The relationships between management consultants and SME managers also differed from similar relationships in large organizations. Suggestions are also provided for academics and practitioners along with areas for future research to extend these exploratory findings.     

ISO 9001 and the Quality of Working Life: An Empirical Study in a Peripheral Service Industry to the Standard's Home Market

In recent years, the implementation of quality management systems based on ISO 9001 has clearly gone beyond the traditional industrial and service subsectors. It has started to have a growing influence on some peripheral subsectors to the standard home market, such as those of health and social services. In this article, the influence of the main global management meta‐standard is analyzed from a macroergonomic perspective in one of the aforementioned sectors. Based on an empirical exploratory study carried out in two Spanish organizations belonging to the subsector of residential care homes for elderly persons, the influence of the adoption of the standard is analyzed, focusing on the quality of working life of the direct attention employees. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Relationships among Internal Marketing,Job Satisfaction,Relationship Marketing,Customer Orientation,and Organizational Performance: An Empirical Study of TFT‐LCD Companies in Taiwan

The thin film technology liquid‐crystal displays (TFT‐LCD) industry has become one of the main industries in Taiwan. In this research, we take Taiwanese TFT‐LCD industrial companies as the research objects and try to identify the interrelationships among internal marketing, job satisfaction, relationship marketing, customer orientation, and organizational performance. Although these companies are classified as part of the manufacturing industry, it is suggested that their service components could be the focus of greater attention to enhance the success of their business operations. Analytical results indicate that internal marketing, job satisfaction, and customer orientation have significant influences on relationship marketing as well as the organizational performance of TFT‐LCD manufacturing companies. Therefore, Taiwan TFT‐LCD manufacturing companies need to implement relationship marketing continuously, increase employee job satisfaction, and inspire employees to become more customer oriented in order to increase productivity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.