TY  - JOUR
AB  - Subject area Enterprise, StrategyStudy level/applicability This case study documents the history of e-commerce adoption and usage in a fabric and garment manufacturing firm operating in an African country. Lessons drawn from the case could be applied to understanding the achievement of e-commerce benefits through the complex interrelationships between firm-level, national and global resources.Case overview The case study presents a summary of e-commerce capabilities in the firm, the key resources developed and actions taken to deploy e-commerce capabilities and the notable benefits obtained through these e-commerce capabilities. The study shows that, first, the ability to access information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure matters in developing countries, but managerial capabilities matter more. Managerial capabilities enable firms to find external resources (both in-country and globally) to substitute for internal resource deficiencies. Second, intangible social resources – trust, reputation and credibility – play a critical role in determining whether the e-commerce strategies of firms are successful or not.Expected learning outcomes An understanding of how managerial capabilities influence the creation of e-commerce capabilities and the achievement of e-commerce benefits, especially in an African or Ghanaian context. Learners can also draw lessons that could be applicable to understanding how a firm's strategic orientation, resource portfolio and the nature of its target market differentiate the extent of integration or adoption and usage of e-commerce in the firm.Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
VL  - 4
IS  - 7
SN  - 2045-0621
DO  - 10.1108/EEMCS-04-2014-0079
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMCS-04-2014-0079
AU  - Boateng Richard
PY  - 2014
Y1  - 2014/01/01
TI  - Achieving E-commerce benefits in a garment manufacturing firm
T2  - Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 1
EP  - 22
Y2  - 2024/04/25
ER  -