An exploratory comparison of electronic commerce adoption in large and small enterprises

• Published in: Journal of information technology 2002-09, Vol.17 (3), p.133-147
• Main Authors: Daniel, Elizabeth M., Grimshaw, David J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adoption; Applications (e.g. Digitizing,...); Business and Management; Business Information Systems; Comparisons; Electronic commerce; Exact sciences and technology; Information and communication sciences; Information and communication technologies; Information science. Documentation; Information Systems and Communication Service; Information technologies: storage media, equipment; Innovation/Technology Management; Management; Regular Paper; Sciences and techniques of general use
• ISSN: 0268-3962; 1466-4437
• DOI: 10.1080/0268396022000018409

This study compares the reasons why small and large companies are adopting electronic commerce (e-commerce) and compares the benefits realized from the adoption of e-commerce by these two groups of companies. Two surveys that were undertaken contemporaneously on the use of e-commerce by small and large companies in the UK were used as the empirical basis for this study. The study found that the use of e-commerce for responding to competitors, providing enhanced customer services and improving relations with suppliers was driving the uptake by smaller businesses to a greater extent than by their larger counterparts. Only in the area of improved operational efficiency did larger businesses express greater interest in adopting e-commerce. The study also found that smaller businesses believed that they had achieved greater benefits from their e-commerce services than had the larger firms in all areas explored.