E-commerce Adoption and Sustainability with SMEs – An Advanced Bibliometric Analysis
Abstract
Integrating technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship has been pivotal in reducing business costs and fostering global connections between producers and consumers. E-commerce has become a fundamental part of the modern business landscape, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With its unique and innovative approach of conducting a bibliometric analysis of the existing research on e-commerce adoption and sustainability within small and medium-scale industries, this study aims to fill a gap in the current literature. The analysis focuses on identifying critical success factors, assessing the relationship between SME characteristics and e-commerce adoption, and examining the organisational implications of e-commerce in SMEs. The findings of this study, presented with all the scientific data, offer insights that can shape the future of SMEs in e-commerce adoption. Bibliographic data was collected through the Web of Science and Scopus databases between 1999 and May 2024. Both databases were combined using the R-studio application, and Biblioshiny was used for the bibliometric analysis. The bibliometric study of data from 1187 related scientific publications was performed using a structured search algorithm in Scopus and Web of Science databases. Research on adoption factors in specific industries has not been extensively explored, making it a promising area for further research. The implications of this study present a bibliometric analysis of the dimensions of SMEs' e-commerce adoption strategy and propose future research directions. Findings highlight the main authors, publications, and productive countries that can be used for research collaborations. This analysis of e-commerce adoption concludes with some limitations, suggestions, and a research agenda for future research.
References
Abdulkarem, A., Hou, W., Elia, S., Giuffrida, M., Mariani, M. M., Bresciani, S., Sila, I., Dobni, D., Kabanda, S., Brown, I., Minatogawa, V., Franco, M., Durán, O., Quadros, R., Holgado, M., Batocchio, A., Awiagah, R., Kang, J., Lim, J. I., … De Saulles, M. (2021). Decision factors for the adoption and continued use of online direct sales channels among SMEs. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(1), 24–53. https://doi.org/10.4018/jgim.2005070102
Ainin, S., Parveen, F., Moghavvemi, S., Jaafar, N. I., & Shuib, N. L. M. (2015). Factors influencing the use of social media by SMEs and its performance outcomes. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 115(3), 570–588. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-07-2014-0205
Al-Alawi, A. I., & Al-Ali, F. M. (2015). Factors affecting e-commerce adoption in SMEs in the GCC: An empirical study of Kuwait. Research Journal of Information Technology, 7(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3923/rjit.2015.1.21
Al-Bakri, A. A., & Katsioloudes, M. I. (2015). The factors affecting e-commerce adoption by Jordanian SMEs. Management Research Review, 38(7), 726–749. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-12-2013-0291
Almtiri, Z., Miah, S. J., & Noman, N. (2023). Application of E-commerce Technologies in Accelerating the Success of SME Operation. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 448, 463–470. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-1610-6_40
Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). bibliometrix : An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959–975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007
Awa, H. O., Baridam, D. M., & Nwibere, B. M. (2015). Demographic determinants of electronic commerce (EC) adoption by SMEs: A twist by location factors. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 28(3), 326–345. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-10-2013-0073
Bening, S. A., Dachyar, M., Pratama, N. R., Park, J., & Chang, Y. (2023). E-Commerce Technologies Adoption Strategy Selection in Indonesian SMEs Using the Decision-Makers, Technological, Organizational and Environmental (DTOE) Framework. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129361
Chan, F. T. S., Chong, A. Y.-L., & Zhou, L. (2012). An empirical investigation of factors affecting e-collaboration diffusion in SMEs. International Journal of Production Economics, 138(2), 329–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2012.04.004
Costa, J., & Castro, R. (2021). Smes must go online—e-commerce as an escape hatch for resilience and survivability. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 16(7), 3043–3062. https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer16070166
Daniel, E., & Wilson, H. (2002). Adoption intentions and benefits realised: A study of e-commerce in UK SMEs. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 9(4), 331–348. https://doi.org/10.1108/14626000210450522
Gao, J., Siddik, A. B., Khawar Abbas, S., Hamayun, M., Masukujjaman, M., & Alam, S. S. (2023). Impact of E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Adoption on the Financial and Sustainability Performance of MSMEs during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Empirical Study. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021594
Ghobakhloo, M., Arias-Aranda, D., & Benitez-Amado, J. (2011). Adoption of e-commerce applications in SMEs. Industrial Management and Data Systems, 111(8), 1238–1269. https://doi.org/10.1108/02635571111170785
Grandon, E. E., & Pearson, J. M. (2004). Electronic commerce adoption: An empirical study of small and medium US businesses. Information and Management, 42(1), 197–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2003.12.010
Hossain, M. B., Dewan, N., Senin, A. A., & Illes, C. B. (2023). Evaluating the utilization of technological factors to promote e-commerce adoption in small and medium enterprises. Electronic Commerce Research, 0123456789. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10660-023-09692-7
Hugger, A. S. (2003). The adoption of internet commerce by SMEs in the south of Italy: an environmental, technological and organizational perspective. Journal of Global Information Technology Management, 1(6), 52–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/1097198X.2003.10856343
Kurnia, S., Choudrie, J., Mahbubur, R. M., Alzougool, B., Kumia, S., Choudrie, J., Mahbubur, R. M., & Alzougool, B. (2015). E-commerce technology adoption: A Malaysian grocery SME retail sector study. Journal of Business Research, 68(9), 1906–1918. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2014.12.010
Kuruwitaarachchi, N., & Ali Khatibi, S. F. A. (2020). Information Technology Factors Influence the Adoption to Ecommerce in Small and Medium Scale Organizations in Sri Lanka: A Research Agenda. International Journal of E-Education, e-Business, e-Management and e-Learning, 10(1), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.17706/ijeeee.2020.10.1.95-103
Li, L., Su, F., Zhang, W., & Mao, J.-Y. (2018). Digital transformation by SME entrepreneurs: A capability perspective. Information Systems Journal, 28(6), 1129–1157. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12153
MacGregor, R., & Vrazalic, L. (2007). Small business clusters and their role in prioritising barriers to e-commerce adoption: A study of two approaches to cluster development. International Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing, 1(3), 236–259. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEMR.2007.013055
Maryeni, Y. Y., Govindaraju, R., Prihartono, B., & Sudirman, I. (2012). Technological and organizational factors influencing the e-commerce adoption by Indonesian SMEs. 2012 IEEE 6th International Conference on Management of Innovation and Technology, ICMIT 2012, 436–441. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICMIT.2012.6225845
Mittal, P., & Jora, R. (2023). Exploring student community engagement in higher education: A bibliometric analysis on the path to sustainable development. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev., 32, 166-177. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2023.v32.014
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., & Altman, D. G. (2009). Academia and Clinic Annals of Internal Medicine Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses : 151(4), 264–269. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135
Myovella, G., Karacuka, M., & Haucap, J. (2020). Digitalization and economic growth: A comparative analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa and OECD economies. Telecommunications Policy, 44(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2019.101856
Narayanmoorthi, R., Vimala Juliet, A., Mohapatra, O., & Dominic Savio, A. (2016). The effect of technology, organization factors on e-commerce adoption among Palestinian SMEs. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 9(38). https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i38/101279
Nazir, M. A., & Roomi, M. A. (2021). Barriers to Adopting Electronic Commerce for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Emerging Economies. EMAJ: Emerging Markets Journal, 10(2), 43–55. https://doi.org/10.5195/emaj.2020.203
Ngai, E. W. T., & Wat, F. K. T. (2002). A literature review and classification of electronic Commerce Research, 39, 415–429. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7206(01)00107-0
Ocloo, C. E., Xuhua, H., Akaba, S., Shi, J., & Worwui-Brown, D. K. (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, pp. 191–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/1097198X.2020.1792229
Olatokun, W., & Kebonye, M. (2010). e-Commerce technology adoption by SMEs in Botswana. Australian Journal of Emerging Technologies and Society, 8(1), 42–56.
Pesta, B., Fuerst, J., & Kirkegaard, E. O. W. (2018). Bibliometric Keyword Analysis across Seventeen Years (2000–2016) of Intelligence Articles. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence6040046
Quaddus, M., Hofmeyer, G., Quaddus, M., & Hofmeyer, G. (2017). An investigation into the factors influencing the adoption of B2B trading exchanges in small businesses An investigation into the factors influencing the adoption of B2B trading exchanges in small businesses. 9344. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.ejis.3000671
Rao Glenn A., Monge, Carlo, A., Mora, S. S. M. (2003). Electronic commerce development in small and medium sized enterprises: A stage model and its implications. Business Process Management Journal, 9(1), 11–32. https://doi.org/10.1108/14637150310461378
Shafi, S., Reshi, A., Shah, A., Al-Mutairi, R. H., Al-Mutairi, G., & Ahmad, A. (2024). Artificial Intelligence Driven Bibliometric Insights: Pioneering Down Syndrome Research. International Journal of Experimental Research and Review, 37(Special Vol.), 68-84. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2024.v37spl.006
Salah, O. H., & Ayyash, M. M. (2024). E-commerce adoption by SMEs and its effect on marketing performance: An extended of TOE framework with AI integration, innovation culture, and customer tech-savviness. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 10(1), 100183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2023.100183
Satar, M. S. (2022). Factors of E-Business Adoption in Small and Medium Enterprises : Evidence from Saudi Arabia. 2022. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2445624
Sujatha, R., & Karthikeyan, M. S. (2021). Determinants of e-commerce adoption: Evidence from small and medium-sized enterprises in India. International Journal of Business and Society, 22(2), 574–590. https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.3740.2021
Tan, K. S., Chong, S. C., Lin, B., & Eze, U. C. (2009). Internet-based ICT adoption: evidence from Malaysian SMEs. INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT & DATA SYSTEMS, 109(1–2), 224–244. https://doi.org/10.1108/02635570910930118
Walker, J. H., Saffu, K., & Mazurek, M. (2016). An Empirical Study of Factors Influencing E-Commerce Adoption/Non-Adoption in Slovakian SMEs. Journal of Internet Commerce, 15(3), 189–213. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332861.2016.1191049
Yadav, H., Soni, U., Gupta, S., & Kumar, G. (2022). Evaluation of barriers in the adoption of E-commerce technology in SMEs: A fuzzy DEMATEL approach. Journal of Electronic Commerce in Organizations, 20(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.4018/JECO.292472
Yu, J., Zhao, J., Zhou, C., & Ren, Y. (2022). Strategic Business Mode Choices for E-Commerce Platforms under Brand Competition. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 17(4), 1769–1790. https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer17040089
Copyright (c) 2024 International Academic Publishing House (IAPH)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
