An explanatory model of the organizational factors that explain the adoption of E-business
Abstract: to describe the
factors that facilitate the adoption of e-business in firms. To go in deep on
the factors, resources and capabilities that need to be present in those firms
seeking to improve their levels of e-business adoption.
Design/methodology/approach: analysis of the literature involving the
main theories on business administration, and more specifically, on those
related to technology innovation (TI) and information systems (IS), as
applicable to the organizational factors that explain the adoption of
e-business.
Findings: it identifies three main sources of influence: a first group
covers the characteristics of the actual firm, which refer to the
organisation’s specific features: firm size, the backing of top management,
expected benefit, age, the level of human capital, and international
projection. A second group of factors includes technology-related
characteristics. The third group contains all those aspects in the environment
that may affect the firm’s attitude to e-business.
Research limitations/implications: the chosen variables play significant
role following a review of the studies on the subject, but not all potential
ones have been included. The variables have been chosen in view of the large
number of studies that have reported conclusive results.
Practical implications: the model presented is designed to enable both
scholars in this field and decision-makers in strategic matters to reflect upon
those aspects that may drive the adoption of e-business, and thereby help them
to make more informed decisions on the matter.
Social implications: In highly competitive industries, firms need to keep
themselves permanently up to speed with technological advances and strategic
innovations
Originality/value: it is the first study that considers three different
perspectives: the organizational, the technological and the environmental one.
Author: Marta Beatriz
GarcÃa-Moreno, Susana GarcÃa-Moreno, Juan Jose Nájera-Sánchez, Carmen De
Pablos-Heredero
Journal Code: jptindustrigg160037