Search results

In 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.

The determinants and outcomes of e-business adoption were tested using data gathered from 282 managers and analysed using structural equation modelling techniques.

The 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.

By 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.

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the status of e‐commerce in terms of limitations, problems and barriers facing the application and use of e‐commerce in Jordan.

A questionnaire approach was employed in this research study to obtain the most appropriate information for identifying the main limitations of e‐commerce in the context of the study. A delivery and collection questionnaire was used as a method for obtaining data from e‐commerce customers contacted through a number of universities.

There are found to be six main limitations of e‐commerce: security and trust; internet experience; enjoyment; language; legal issues; and technology acceptance (ease of use and usefulness). The results of this research showed that the main limitations of e‐commerce in Jordan appeared to be related to non‐technical limitations. The reason behind this result could be related to the lack of students' awareness of technical issues, in that they might not have known about the technical issues that could face e‐commerce.

This research provides the foundation for additional research in developing countries related to e‐commerce, the results of which would be internationally useful. Comparison between countries could also be significant. Finally, investigation of the limitations of e‐commerce from a company point of view could be useful because companies are the providers of these services.

The paper summarizes the main limitations of e‐commerce from the Jordanian customer's point of view. In addition, the results of this study extend the body of knowledge by providing a set of limitations that may explain customers' perceptions of e‐commerce benefits and limitations. One finding – the difference in attitudes related to age, gender, internet experience, and income – may be of use to the development of company marketing strategies, for example, in regard to what enjoyment factors might motivate customers to do their shopping online. Managers and designers may find such information useful for predicting which systems will be acceptable to customers, diagnosing reasons why the system may not be fully acceptable to customers, and which corrective actions to take in increasing the acceptability of their systems.