Since the 1990s the use of the Internet and electronic commerce (e-commerce) has
exploded, yet few SMEs seem to benefit from its potential. The lack of personal
involvement and low level of use are an indication that managers still have not committed
themselves to e-commerce. Consequently they are not reaping the full benefits first hand.
The objectives of the study are to identify key factors and relationships likely to
influence e-commerce use by SME managers in the Netherlands and to investigate whether
relevant and significant factors can be combined in a new model to predict how SME
managers will use new technology.
To achieve these objectives, a well-established model of IT usage behaviour, the
Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), was used. Building upon TAM, a theoretical
research model was developed to investigate a large number of external variables that are
possible antecedents of managerial beliefs, attitudes, and the use of IT. E-commerce
systems were chosen as the IT tool under review. A cross-sectional field survey was
conducted to investigate the theoretical research model. The results are based on the
analysis of questionnaire data from 114 managers from Dutch SMEs. Using Structural
Equation Modelling (SEM) the results show significant support for external variables,
mostly of an individual nature, in the categories of demographics, managerial and IT
knowledge, individual characteristics, and company characteristics. Contrary to
expectations, two categories - social factors and environmental characteristics - had few or
no variables with a significant relationship.
This study further presents empirical evidence to suggest a limited number of
antecedents under managerial control influencing beliefs, attitudes, and use. A better
understanding of the various factors that may impede or increase effective utilization of IT
can facilitate the design of organizational or managerial interventions that address these
issues.
Building on the core TAM model a new model, the e-Tam Model, has been
developed based on the results of the theoretical research model. In this model, it is
hypothesized that IT usage is directly and indirectly influenced by seven external variables
divided into three categories: demographics, personality, and company characteristics.
Using the e-Tam Model, effective and increased use of managerial IT tools can be
promoted. This will enable managers to have a better use of e-commerce systems leading in
turn to better margins and opportunities.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/7225 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Castricum, Marc C. |
| Contributors | Not named |
| Publisher | University of Bradford, School of Management |
| Source Sets | Bradford Scholars |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, doctoral, DBA |
| Rights | <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>. |
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