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Engaging SMEs in e-business: some insights from a UK empirical study

Research Output:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
Chapter
 Peer-review

Abstract

The rapid rise of e-business has brought profound impact on, as well as significant challenges to, businesses of all sizes. The lack of anticipated engagement in e-business by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is still a concern to the UK government. Findings from the literature appear to have revealed a contradictory picture of SMEs’ engagement in e-business. There is limited systematic research into how companies, especially small companies, are adopting the Internet technologies. This book chapter reviews current research on SMEs’ e-business adoption by following various adoption models. The chapter examines the driving forces and inhibitors that effect the adoption of ebusiness technology in SMEs. Through interviews with 40 owner managers in the electronic components industry, the chapter reveals that most of the small firms in this industry are at the lower level of the ‘e-adoption ladder’ - predominantly using the Internet for searching information and email. SMEs in this industry have not yet widely engaged in online transactions. The current level of adoption is driven by both internal and external factors, including operational benefits, industry common practice and peer pressure. External forces such as a lack of push from suppliers and customers and a lack of strategic vision of using advanced e-business technology for competitive advantages have determinant effects on the level and scale of e-adoption in SME sector.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
Chapter
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 119-138

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/01/2008

Publication status

Published - 01/01/2008

Publisher

IGI Global Scientific Publishing, United States

ISBN (Print)

9781599048314

ISBN (Electronic)

9781599048338

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/251033
  • Scopus: 105014662803

Host publication title

E-Business Models, Services and Communications

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