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E-business and fast growth SMEs

Author

Listed:
  • Rui Bi

    (Charles Sturt University)

  • Robert M. Davison

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Kosmas X. Smyrnios

    (RMIT University)

Abstract

This paper tests a theoretical model to evaluate e-business capability and value in the fast growth small-to-medium enterprise (SME) context. We propose that e-business value depends on how fast growth SMEs deploy IT resources, strategic planning, culture, and business partnerships to develop e-business capability and business process competence which help these companies to achieve outstanding business performance. Structural equation modelling is employed to test our theoretical conceptualization on a cohort of 310 Australian fast growth SMEs across different industrial sectors. The results show that IT resources, strategic IT alignment, market orientation, and business partnerships do contribute significantly and indirectly to SME performance through the development of e-business capability and business process competence. Our study provides an initial empirical evidence to understand the relationship between IT and entrepreneurial SME performance. These findings have important implications for research and business practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Bi & Robert M. Davison & Kosmas X. Smyrnios, 2017. "E-business and fast growth SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 48(3), pages 559-576, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:48:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s11187-016-9788-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-016-9788-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Noemi Oggero & Maria Cristina Rossi & Elisa Ughetto, 2020. "Entrepreneurial spirits in women and men. The role of financial literacy and digital skills," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(2), pages 313-327, August.
    3. Alžbeta Kucharčíková & Martin Mičiak & Miloš Hitka, 2018. "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Investment in Human Capital in E-Business Enterprise in the Context of Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-23, September.
    4. Begoña López-Fernández & Susana López-Bayón, 2018. "Antecedents of early terminations in franchising: franchisor versus franchisee cancelations," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 50(4), pages 677-695, April.
    5. Asif Islam & Silvia Muzi & Jorge Luis Rodriguez Meza, 2018. "Does mobile money use increase firms’ investment? Evidence from Enterprise Surveys in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 51(3), pages 687-708, October.
    6. Naiana ŢARCĂ & Mirela BUCUREAN & Dinu SASU & Remus ROȘCA, 2022. "Analysis Of The Online Purchase Behaviour Of Romanians," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 2(2), pages 230-246, December.
    7. David B. Audretsch & Maksim Belitski & Rosa Caiazza & Farzana Chowdhury & Matthias Menter, 2023. "Entrepreneurial growth, value creation and new technologies," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 1535-1551, October.
    8. Borcosi Corina Ana & Borcosi Ilie, 2023. "E-Business Strategies For Enterprises Development," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 4, pages 132-137, August.
    9. Razmdoost, Kamran & Alinaghian, Leila & Linder, Christian, 2020. "New venture formation: A capability configurational approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 290-302.
    10. Elisa Ughetto & Mariacristina Rossi & David Audretsch & Erik E. Lehmann, 2020. "Female entrepreneurship in the digital era," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(2), pages 305-312, August.
    11. Luis Javier Garcia-Martinez & Sascha Kraus & Matthias Breier & Andreas Kallmuenzer, 2023. "Untangling the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises and growth: a review of extant literature," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 455-479, June.

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