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Strategic Intent and E-Business in SMEs: Enablers and Inhibitors

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  • Margi Levy

    (University of Warwick, UK)

  • Philip Powell

    (University of Bath, UK)

  • Les Worrall

    (University of Wolverhampton Business School, UK)

Abstract

Small firms’ use of e-business is limited, and little is known about what drives them to embrace e-business. Using survey data from 354 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK West Midlands, this paper investigates e-business use and drivers. It first discusses different growth strategies adopted by SMEs and then reviews Internet adoption in SMEs. Drivers and inhibitors of e-business are identified. Three research questions are derived: Does strategic intent drive e-business adoption, and is it a factor of market position or product innovation? Is this consistent across sectors? How is strategic intent and industry adoption influenced by the enablers and inhibitors of e-business adoption? This research demonstrates that strategic intent influences decisions to invest in e-business. Those SMEs remaining in their existing markets are the least likely to invest, primarily due to the Internet not being seen as necessary for growth. Product innovation rather than market penetration drives e-business, and e-business drivers and inhibitors provide insights into this.

Suggested Citation

  • Margi Levy & Philip Powell & Les Worrall, 2005. "Strategic Intent and E-Business in SMEs: Enablers and Inhibitors," Information Resources Management Journal (IRMJ), IGI Global, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:igg:rmj000:v:18:y:2005:i:4:p:1-20
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    Cited by:

    1. Roya Gholami & Alemayehu Molla & Suparna Goswami & Christopher Brewster, 0. "Green information systems use in social enterprise: the case of a community-led eco-localization website in the West Midlands region of the UK," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-17.
    2. Marie-Anne Le-Dain & Lamiae Benhayoun & Judy Matthews & Marine Liard, 2023. "Barriers and opportunities of digital servitization for SMEs: the effect of smart Product-Service System business models," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 17(1), pages 359-393, March.
    3. Maman Setiawan & Rina Indiastuti & Peggie Destevanie, 2014. "Information Technology and Competitiveness: Evidence from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Survey in Cimahi District, Indonesia," Working Papers in Economics and Development Studies (WoPEDS) 201401, Department of Economics, Padjadjaran University, revised Feb 2014.
    4. Roya Gholami & Alemayehu Molla & Suparna Goswami & Christopher Brewster, 2018. "Green information systems use in social enterprise: the case of a community-led eco-localization website in the West Midlands region of the UK," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 20(6), pages 1345-1361, December.
    5. Grant, Kevin & Edgar, David & Sukumar, Arun & Meyer, Martin, 2014. "‘Risky business’: Perceptions of e-business risk by UK small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 99-122.
    6. Saghiri, Soroosh & Wilding, Richard & Mena, Carlos & Bourlakis, Michael, 2017. "Toward a three-dimensional framework for omni-channel," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 53-67.
    7. Hart O. Awa & Ojiabo Ukoha & Bartholomew C. Emecheta, 2016. "Using T-O-E theoretical framework to study the adoption of ERP solution," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 1196571-119, December.
    8. Mack, Elizabeth A. & Marie-Pierre, Lisa & Redican, Kyle, 2017. "Entrepreneurs’ use of internet and social media applications," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(2), pages 120-139.
    9. Platero Jaime, Manuel & Benito Hernández, Sonia & Rodríguez Duarte, Antonio, 2017. "The moderator effect of training in the adoption of ICT in microenterprises," Cuadernos de Gestión, Universidad del País Vasco - Instituto de Economía Aplicada a la Empresa (IEAE).
    10. Ghazi A. Al-Weshah & Khalid Al-Zubi, 2012. "E-Business Enablers And Barriers: Empirical Study Of Smes In Jordanian Communication Sector," Global Journal of Business Research, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 6(3), pages 1-15.
    11. Louis Raymond & Josée St-Pierre & Bruno Fabi & Richard Lacoursière, 2009. "From the intent to the growth of manufacturing SMEs: an empirical study of strategic configurations," Post-Print hal-01705771, HAL.
    12. Qi Deng & Shaobo Ji, 2015. "Organizational Green IT Adoption: Concept and Evidence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(12), pages 1-19, December.

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