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A model of e-commerce use by internationalizing SMEs

Author

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  • Tiessen, James H.
  • Wright, Richard W.
  • Turner, Ian

Abstract

Globalization and e-commerce pose new challenges and provide new competitive opportunities, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to broaden their involvement into new international markets. Yet, SMEs are only beginning to embrace these new opportunities. The authors derive a model describing the use of e-commerce by internationalizing SMEs, developed by integrating findings from case studies of 12 Canadian SMEs exporting to Japan with a broad range of management theories. The cases represent two very different sectors: hospitality/tourism and high tech. The research first describes how the firms use e-commerce internationally, by examining resource commitment, web function and cultural adaptation. It then explains why the firms use e-commerce, by relating two types of environmental variables -- market changes and industry norms -- and three firm factors -- technical capability, cultural capability and firm size -- to the firms' adoption of e-commerce. Implications for SME managers are discussed and nine propositions are put forth to guide and focus future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Tiessen, James H. & Wright, Richard W. & Turner, Ian, 2001. "A model of e-commerce use by internationalizing SMEs," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 7(3), pages 211-233.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intman:v:7:y:2001:i:3:p:211-233
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Martineau, Charles & Pastoriza, David, 2016. "International involvement of established SMEs: A systematic review of antecedents, outcomes and moderators," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 458-470.
    3. Tolstoy, Daniel & Nordman, Emilia Rovira & Hånell, Sara Melén & Özbek, Nurgül, 2021. "The development of international e-commerce in retail SMEs: An effectuation perspective," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(3).
    4. V. Kumar & Sourav Bikash Borah & Amalesh Sharma & Laxminarayana Yashaswy Akella, 2021. "Chief marketing officers’ discretion and firms’ internationalization: An empirical investigation," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(3), pages 363-387, April.
    5. Gornostaeva, Galina, 2023. "The development of digital commerce in the fashion industry: The typology of emerging designers in London," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 186(PA).
    6. Adomako, Samuel & Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph & Tarba, Shlomo Y. & Khan, Zaheer, 2021. "Perceived corruption, business process digitization, and SMEs’ degree of internationalization in sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 196-207.
    7. Sushma Kumari & Vikrant Shirodkar & Steven McGuire, 2023. "Pre-Liberalization Foundations and the FDI-Based Internationalization of SMEs from Emerging Markets," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(4), pages 641-671, August.
    8. Busby, Graham & Huang, Rong, 2012. "Integration, intermediation and tourism higher education: Conceptual understanding in the curriculum," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 108-115.
    9. Jonas Eduardsen & Svetla Marinova & Leonidas C. Leonidou & Paul Christodoulides, 2023. "Organizational Influences and Performance Impact of Cross-Border E-Commerce Barriers: The Moderating Role of Home Country Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Market Internet Penetration," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(3), pages 433-467, June.
    10. Yoruk, Deniz E. & Bunduchi, Raluca & Yoruk, Esin & Crișan-Mitra, Catalina & Salanță, Irina-Iulia & Crișan, Emil Lucian, 2021. "Pathways to innovation in Romanian software SMEs: Exploring the impact of interdependencies between internationalisation and knowledge sources," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(4).

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