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Factors Influencing E-commerce Adoption by SMEs in Sudan – Qualitative Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Asma Elamin Abdalla

    (School Of Business & Economics, UPM University Malaysia)

  • Noor Azlin Binti Ismail

    (School Of Business & Economics, UPM University Malaysia)

  • Rosmah Mohamed

    (School Of Business & Economics, UPM University Malaysia)

Abstract

E-commerce’s impact on small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) has received significant attention in research. Much research on e-commerce adoption among SMEs in developing countries has been conducted. However, few studies exist to explain the success of SMEs in Sudan in adopting e-commerce systems. The paper investigates the factors which influence e-commerce adoption by SMEs in Sudan. The study used semi-structured telephone interviews as a qualitative research approach to achieve its goal. The primary qualitative data were collected to explore the factors influencing e-commerce adoption in Sudanese SMEs, and analyzed using ‘Deductive Content Analysis’. Utilizing the TOE theory, this study highlighted many main factors that affect SME enterprises during e-commerce implementation. The study identified three significant challenges: technological, organizational, and environmental. The qualitative data analysis revealed a significant relationship between each of the six variables (compatibility, IT knowledge, Management Support, Perceived Cost, Competitive Pressure, and Government Support) and electronic commerce usage among small and medium-sized companies in Sudan.

Suggested Citation

  • Asma Elamin Abdalla & Noor Azlin Binti Ismail & Rosmah Mohamed, 2025. "Factors Influencing E-commerce Adoption by SMEs in Sudan – Qualitative Analysis," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(3), pages 1499-1512, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-3:p:1499-1512
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Abdelaziz Musbah & Mira Kartiwi, 2017. "Factors Hindering the Adoption of Business-to-Consumer (B2C) in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Sudan," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 9(4), pages 28-33.
    2. Chosniel Elikem Ocloo & Hu Xuhua & Selorm Akaba & Junguo Shi & David Kwaku Worwui-Brown, 2020. "The Determinant Factors of Business to Business (B2B) E-Commerce Adoption in Small- and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises," Journal of Global Information Technology Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(3), pages 191-216, July.
    3. Alexandre Moeuf & Robert Pellerin & Samir Lamouri & Simon Tamayo-Giraldo & Rodolphe Barbaray, 2018. "The industrial management of SMEs in the era of Industry 4.0," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(3), pages 1118-1136, February.
    4. Alexandre Moeuf & Samir Lamouri & Robert Pellerin & Simon Tamayo-Giraldo & Estefania Tobon-Valencia & Romain Eburdy, 2020. "Identification of critical success factors, risks and opportunities of Industry 4.0 in SMEs," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(5), pages 1384-1400, March.
    5. Sayef Bakari, 2017. "Appraisal of Trade Potency on Economic Growth in Sudan: New Empirical and Policy Analysis," Asian Development Policy Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 5(4), pages 213-225.
    6. Rita Rahayu & John Day, 2017. "E-commerce adoption by SMEs in developing countries: evidence from Indonesia," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 7(1), pages 25-41, April.
    7. Agus David Ramdansyah & H.E.R. Taufik, 2017. "Adoption Model of E-Commerce from SMEs Perspective in Developing Country Evidence – Case Study for Indonesia," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(4B), pages 227-243.
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