Purpose – Platform‐independent low‐cost instant messaging (IM) may allow small businesses with limited financial and technical resources to communicate and collaborate internally and externally. Little research has been done investigating IM in the small business context. This study seeks...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how QFD can be used as part of a structured planning and analysis framework for micro‐sized enterprises to build‐up their e‐business capabilities. Design/methodology/approach – This case study has been produced using a new framework which...

Purpose – The two main objectives of this study are to systematically and formally test for differences in the impact of various determinants of e‐commerce adoption depending on the current level of e‐commerce, and to investigate the possible direct impact of the current level of adoption...

Purpose – This paper aims to analyse the role of market orientation in the internationalisation of small software firms. Design/methodology/approach – The study combines qualitative case studies with quantitative data from the firms in question. Findings – Market orientation in the...

The development of the new economy through the advent of the Internet and the World Wide Web has created many threats and opportunities for firms in general and small businesses in particular. There appears to be an inextricable linkage among the new economy, new enterprise, and the new...

This article sets out to critically evaluate the impact that higher education institution (HEI)‐based consultancy can have upon the adoption and use of e‐commerce by businesses units operating in the small business sector of the British economy. Anecdotal evidence suggests that “new”...

Drawing on existing research on e‐business and the smaller firm, this paper presents a review of the literature and the formulation of a conceptual framework of adopting an e‐business approach. Macro‐factors, industry sector, firm and managerial motivations and attitudes are examined, and...

This article starts with definitions of e‐business and a summary of what it means for businesses. This is followed by a quick description of a model of e‐business adoption. It then argues that modelling has reached a secure enough state for us to be able to predict benefits of adoption with...

A number of recent studies have suggested that, for small businesses to compete with their larger counterparts in the electronic commerce environment, many are collaborating in a network arrangement. This study examines whether factors such as business size, business age, business sector or...

Purpose – To develop a basic model of e‐commerce adoption barriers to small businesses located in regional areas of developed countries. Design/methodology/approach – An empirical survey of 477 small businesses in Sweden and Australia about e‐commerce adoption and implementation. The...