Electronic Commerce In Small To Medium Sized Enterprises

Electronic Commerce in Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises: Frameworks, Issues and Implications addresses eCommerce issues in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a global setting. The book aims at addressing issues that are of importance to researchers, to students, and to professionals interested in the eCommerce field in SMEs and hence, interested in addressing issues pertaining to theory and to practice.

This work addresses eCommerce issues in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a global setting. It covers issues that are of importance to researchers, students, and professionals interested in the eCommerce field in SMEs.

The change from old to new technologies has fundamentally changed the relationship between the consumer and the firm. This book is at the frontier of behavioural research into how these new commercial realities are borne out in practice, examining the adoption of e-commerce by small firms and the transactional phenomenon that entails access to the Internet. In analyzing the process of e-commerce adoption and why e-commerce actors behave as they do, its coverage includes the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) by small firms; the use of ICT applications to support marketing and sales transactions; and the factors that influence consumers' online purchasing decisions.

How small businesses can use the Internet and e-commerce to succeed in the global marketplace. Small companies account for a surprising one-third of U.S. exports, and their market share is growing. The Internet has played a major role in helping these companies develop an increasingly powerful international presence. Global E-Commerce Strategies for Small Businesses describes the export opportunities e-commerce holds for small-to-medium size enterprises (SMEs) all over the world. The book is organized in two parts. The first uses examples and case studies of small exporting companies from six countries to show how SMEs and new entrepreneurs are not only successful but also often responsible for job creation, innovation, and economic growth in their regions. It also examines common obstacles to exports such as local and international laws, cultural differences, trade barriers, taxation, and transport infrastructure. The second part covers the steps in setting up a global business: researching business opportunities, identifying and reaching out to customers, building and keeping an online image, closing the deal, and maintaining customer support. Written in a casual, accessible style, the book offers an overview of the tools and services available to help smaller companies flourish in the global marketplace.

This work highlights successful policy and practices which encourage the success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in numerous different countries. It offers insights into addressing the significant issues that are of importance to the small business sector.

"This book focuses on isolating what determines the adoption of e-commerce applications that will optimize potential opportunities presented to small businesses through adoption"--Provided by publisher.

"This book presents detailed studies of e-commerce in multiple regions focusing on business size, sector, market focus, gender of CEO, and education level of CEO as driving forces for e-commerce adoption. Results show that regional SMEs in developed countries have low e-commerce adoption rates, and strategic alliances by SMEs play a key role in overcoming the low rate"--Provided by publisher.

"Guide identifying SME issues and constraints in regard to e-commerce - explains how to develop an e-commerce strategy and conduct online market research; outlines marketing and online communication techniques; answers questions on legal and financial issues; highlights characteristics of successful websites; deals with technical, policy and country-specific issues; online procurement; describes role of ITC in providing assistance in e-commerce; programmes and services offered by other international bodies; appendices include model professional services agreement with website designers; text of UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Electronic Commerce Agreement; also includes questionnaire for the ITC survey of SMEs and export development organizations on e-commerce on which the guide has been based"--P. ii.