Foreword ....................................................... ix
Preface ....................................................... xii
Acknowledgments ............................................. xviii
CHAPTER 1
SMEs and Electronic Commerce: An Overview of Our Current
Knowledge ....................................................... 1
The Nature of SMEs .............................................. 2
SMEs in Regional Areas .......................................... 7
Pre E-Commerce Acquisition of IT by SMEs ........................ 8
IT Adoption Criteria ........................................... 11
The Diversity of the SME Sector ................................ 12
Electronic Commerce ............................................ 13
E-Commerce and SMEs ............................................ 14
Conclusion ..................................................... 17
References ..................................................... 18
Chapter II
General Research Methodology and Procedures: An Overview of
How the Study was Undertaken ................................... 25
Overall Goals of the Study ..................................... 25
Choice of Location for Data Gathering .......................... 27
Mode of Data Collection ........................................ 31
Development of the Survey Instrument ........................... 31
E-Commerce Criteria, Barriers, Benefits, and Disadvantages ..... 35
Pilot Study .................................................... 37
Statistical Analysis ........................................... 37
Conclusion ..................................................... 39
References ..................................................... 40
Chapter III
Profile of SMEs in Sweden, Australia, and the USA:
Associations Between Various Business Characteristics .......... 42
Survey Instrument .............................................. 43
Response Rates ................................................. 45
Profile of Respondents in Sweden ............................... 46
Associations Between Business Characteristics in Sweden ........ 51
Associations Between Business Characteristics and E-Commerce
Adoption in Sweden ............................................. 63
Summary of Swedish Findings .................................... 67
Profile of Respondents in Australia ............................ 68
Associations Between Business Characteristics in Australia ..... 71
Associations Between Business Characteristics and E-Commerce
Adoption in Australia .......................................... 73
Summary of Australian Findings ................................. 73
Profile of Respondents in the USA .............................. 74
Associations Between Business Characteristics in the USA ....... 78
Associations Between Business Characteristics and E-Commerce
Adoption in the USA ............................................ 79
Summary of USA Findings ........................................ 80
A Comparison of Sweden, Australia, and the USA ................. 81
Conclusion ..................................................... 83
References ..................................................... 83
Chapter IV
Criteria for the Adoption of E-Commerce: Why Do SMEs Decide
to Implement E-Commerce? ....................................... 86
Background ..................................................... 87
E-Commerce Adoption Criteria and Business Characteristics ...... 90
Research Questions ............................................. 92
Methodology .................................................... 93
Business Characteristics and E-Commerce Adoption Criteria in
Swedish SMEs ................................................... 94
Groupings of E-Commerce Adoption Criteria in Sweden ............ 98
Summary: E-Commerce Adoption Criteria in Swedish SMEs ......... 110
Business Characteristics and E-Commerce Adoption Criteria in
Australia ..................................................... 111
Groupings of E-Commerce Adoption Criteria in Australia ........ 112
Summary: E-Commerce Adoption Criteria in Australian SMEs ...... 115
Business Characteristics and E-Commerce Adoption Criteria in
the USA ....................................................... 115
Groupings of E-Commerce Adoption Criteria in the USA .......... 117
Summary: E-Commerce Adoption Criteria in USA SMEs ............. 118
Comparison of Results: A Discussion ........................... 118
E-Commerce Adoption Criteria: Implications .................... 122
E-Commerce Adoption Criteria: Key Findings .................... 124
References .................................................... 125
Chapter V
Barriers to E-Commerce Adoption: Why are SMEs Staying Away
from E-Commerce? .............................................. 129
Background .................................................... 130
Research Questions ............................................ 133
Methodology ................................................... 134
Business Characteristics and E-Commerce Adoption Barriers in
Sweden ........................................................ 135
Groupings of E-Commerce Adoption Barriers in Sweden ........... 135
Summary: Adoption Barriers in Swedish SMEs .................... 140
Business Characteristics and E-Commerce Adoption Barriers in
Australia ..................................................... 141
Groupings of E-Commerce Adoption Barriers in Australia ........ 145
Summary: Adoption Barriers in Australian SMEs ................. 147
Business Characteristics and E-Commerce Adoption Barriers in
the USA ....................................................... 147
Groupings of E-Commerce Adoption Barriers in the USA .......... 149
Summary: E-Commerce Adoption Barriers in USA SMEs ............. 150
Comparison of Results: A Discussion ........................... 151
E-Commerce Adoption Barriers: Implications .................... 155
E-Commerce Adoption Barriers: Key Findings .................... 155
References .................................................... 156
Chapter VI
Benefits of E-Commerce Adoption: What Can SMEs Expect to
Gain from E-Commerce Adoption? ................................ 160
Background .................................................... 161
Research Questions ............................................ 163
Methodology ................................................... 163
Business Characteristics and E-Commerce Benefits in Sweden .... 165
Groupings of E-Commerce Benefits in Sweden .................... 165
Summary: E-Commerce Adoption Benefits in Swedish SMEs ......... 172
Business Characteristics and E-Commerce Benefits in
Australia ..................................................... 172
Groupings of E-Commerce Adoption Benefits in Australia ........ 174
Summary: E-Commerce Benefits in Australian SMEs ............... 175
Comparison of Results: A Discussion ........................... 175
E-Commerce Benefits: Implications ............................. 177
E-Commerce Adoption Benefits: Key Findings .................... 177
References .................................................... 178
Chapter VII
Disadvantages of E-Commerce Adoption: What Types of Problems
do SMEs Face from E-Commerce? ................................. 180
Background .................................................... 181
Research Questions ............................................ 182
Methodology ................................................... 183
Business Characteristics and E-Commerce Disadvantages in
Sweden ........................................................ 184
Groupings of E-Commerce Disadvantages in Sweden ............... 186
Summary: E-Commerce Disadvantages in Swedish SMEs ............. 192
Business Characteristics and E-Commerce Disadvantages in
Australia ..................................................... 193
Groupings of E-Commerce Disadvantages in Australia ............ 194
Summary: E-Commerce Disadvantages in Australian SMEs .......... 195
Comparison of Results: A Discussion ........................... 196
E-Commerce Disadvantages: Implications ........................ 197
E-Commerce Adoption Disadvantages: Key Findings ............... 197
References .................................................... 198
Chapter VIII
Strategic Alliances and E-Commerce Adoption: Does Partnering
with Other SMEs Affect E-Commerce Adoption? ................... 200
Background .................................................... 200
The Role of Strategic Alliances ............................... 201
The Role of Alliances E-Commerce Adoption ..................... 205
Research Questions ............................................ 206
Methodology ................................................... 206
Business Characteristics and Strategic Alliance Membership .... 207
Strategic Alliances and E-Commerce Adoption ................... 211
Comparison of Differences Between the Three Locations:
A Discussion .................................................. 221
Groupings of E-Commerce Criteria, Barriers, Benefits, and
Disadvantages and Alliance Membership ......................... 222
Comparison of Results: A Discussion ........................... 243
E-Commerce and Strategic Alliances: Implications .............. 247
E-Commerce and Strategic Alliances: Key Findings .............. 249
References .................................................... 252
Chapter IX
The Role of Gender in E-Commerce Adoption: Does Having
a Male or Female CEO Affect E-Commerce Use? ................... 256
Background .................................................... 257
Research Questions ............................................ 260
Methodology ................................................... 260
Gender and E-Commerce Adoption ................................ 261
Comparison of Differences Between the Three Locations:
A Discussion .................................................. 266
Groupings of E-Commerce Criteria, Barriers, Benefits, and
Disadvantages and CEO Gender .................................. 267
Comparison of Results: A Discussion ........................... 279
E-Commerce and Gender: Implications ........................... 284
E-Commerce and Gender: Key Findings ........................... 285
References .................................................... 287
Chapter X
The Role of Education in E-Commerce Adoption: Does the CEO's
Level of Education Affect E-Commerce Adoption? ................ 291
Background .................................................... 291
Research Questions ............................................ 292
Methodology ................................................... 293
Education and E-Commerce Adoption ............................. 294
Groupings of E-Commerce Criteria, Barriers, Benefits,
Disadvantages, and CEO Education .............................. 298
Comparison of Results: A Discussion ........................... 318
E-Commerce and CEO Education: Implications .................... 319
E-Commerce and CEO Education: Key Findings .................... 319
References .................................................... 326
Chapter XI
Interaction of Adoption Factors: Do SMEs Achieve the Desired
Benefits from E-Commerce Adoption? ............................ 328
E-Commerce Criteria and Benefits in Sweden .................... 329
Summary of Criteria and Benefits in Sweden .................... 334
E-Commerce Criteria and Disadvantages in Sweden ............... 336
Summary of Criteria and Disadvantages in Sweden ............... 337
E-Commerce Criteria and Benefits in Australia ................. 338
Summary of Criteria and Benefits in Australia ................. 340
E-Commerce Criteria and Benefits/Disadvantages Associations
and Strategic Alliance Membership ............................. 341
E-Commerce Criteria and Benefits/Disadvantages Associations
and Business Size ............................................. 344
E-Commerce Criteria and Benefits/Disadvantages Associations
and Business Sector ........................................... 346
E-Commerce Criteria and Benefits/Disadvantages Associations
and Market Focus .............................................. 348
E-Commerce Criteria and Benefits/Disadvantages Associations
and Type of E-Commerce ........................................ 349
Comparison of the Two Locations and Implications .............. 350
E-Commerce Criteria and Resulting Benefits/Disadvantages:
Key Findings .................................................. 352
References .................................................... 354
Chapter XII
Current Barriers and Future Drivers: Why SMEs Don't Use
E-Commerce Today and What Potential Benefits May Lead Them
to Use E-Commerce in the Future ............................... 355
E-Commerce Barriers and Potential Drivers in Sweden ........... 356
Summary of Barriers and Potential Drivers in Sweden ........... 363
E-Commerce Barriers and Potential Drivers in Australia ........ 365
Summary of Barriers and Potential Drivers in Australia ........ 367
E-Commerce Barriers and Potential Drivers in the USA .......... 368
Summary of Barriers and Potential Drivers in the USA .......... 373
Comparison of the Three Locations and Implications ............ 374
E-Commerce Barriers and Potential Drivers: Key Findings ....... 378
References .................................................... 379
Chapter XIII
E-Commerce Adoption in Sweden, Australia, and the USA:
A Comparison .................................................. 381
A Comparison of E-Commerce Criteria ........................... 382
A Comparison of E-Commerce Barriers ........................... 386
A Comparison of E-Commerce Benefits ........................... 389
A Comparison of E-Commerce Disadvantages ...................... 390
Comparison of Three Locations: Implications ................... 391
Comparison of Three Locations: Key Findings ................... 391
References .................................................... 393
Chapter XIV
Implications for E-Commerce Adoption by SMEs: How Can These
Results Help with E-Commerce Adoption by SMEs? ................ 395
E-Commerce in Sweden .......................................... 396
E-Commerce in Australia ....................................... 398
E-Commerce in the USA ......................................... 399
Final Remarks ................................................. 401
References .................................................... 402
About the Authors ............................................. 404
Index ......................................................... 405
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