پذیرش تجارت الکترونیک بنگاه به بنگاه در چین

There is an absence of research on business-to-business eCommerce in developing countries which covers wide-ranging issues beyond contextual imperatives. This paper analyzes eCommerce adoption by businesses in China from internal, external and contextual perspectives. The contributions of this paper are to extend and adapt the Perceived eReadiness Model [A. Molla, P.S. Licker, eCommerce adoption in developing countries: a model and instrument, Information & Management (42) 2005, pp. 877–899; A. Molla, P.S. Licker, Perceived E-Readiness factors in e-Commerce adoption: an empirical investigation in a developing country, International Journal of Electronic Commerce 10(1), 2005, pp. 83–110] to eCommerce in China in an empirical study of 134 Chinese SME's. This study validates the Perceived eReadiness Model [53,54]. It further analyzes the contextual and organizational factors that affect business-to-business eCommerce adoption in China. Findings show that the important inhibiting factors in China are restricted access to computers, lack of internal trust, lack of enterprise-wide information sharing, intolerance towards failure, and incapability of dealing with rapid change. These variables are analysed in the context of Chinese culture.

Although it has been acknowledged widely that the adoption and diffusion of eCommerce by businesses in developing countries is an important economic indicator of growth [53] and [54], there are few empirical studies [19], [23], [45], [57] and [75] and only one comprehensive model [53] and [54]. This model was tested once, in development. The contributions of this paper are to adapt, extend and empirically test the pioneering Molla and Licker Model [53] and [54] in the context of China. The objective is to provide a validated predictor of business-to-business eCommerce adoption in China. This may then be applied to wider contexts. China has a land mass of 9.6 million km2[26], population of 1.29 billion in 2003 [26], and an annual growth rate of 9% [5]. It is an important country for analysis of eCommerce development in business markets, emerging markets and transitional economies. As in many developing countries, data are difficult to collect and interpret. This paper is structured as follows. First, we introduce the study, which is followed by a review of eCommerce in developing countries. We then present the theoretical background of the models of eCommerce adoption, followed by an analysis of the context in China, and methodology. Finally, we discuss our results, analyze them in the context of China, and draw out managerial implications. Limitations of our research and indications for further research conclude the paper.

The aim of our research was to adapt, extend, test and validate the Perceived eReadiness Model to help assess the internal organization and the external environment [53] and [54] in the context of business-to-business eCommerce adoption in China. Results from our research show that the Perceived eReadiness Model works in China. Our study finds that, contrary to previous research that the external environment plays the major role in eCommerce adoption, in China the internal organizational factors are inhibiting eCommerce adoption and diffusion. Generally, the Perceived Environmental eReadiness categories are relatively positive towards eCommerce adoption in China. The Central Government shows great enthusiasm towards the adoption of eCommerce, and has been offering support in terms of policy and extensive investment in supporting industries to facilitate eCommerce. However, it enforces strict censorship in tandem with support, which creates considerable tension. The major problems, however, lie in Perceived Organizational eReadiness. Our findings show that firms in China suffer from the lack of business resources and human resources, in terms of firm size, and resources available for employees to pursue innovation. However, after the 30-year domination of state-planned economy, China is still finding its feet in the adoption of the market-oriented economy. It takes time for businesses to form systems, objectives and strategies that respond directly to the market instead of reacting to government plans. The most important finding in the context of China is the cultural issue, which has a deep influence on entrepreneurial culture in terms of trust and information sharing. Both of these categories are essential in business-to-business eCommerce adoption. However, there is considerable socio-cultural tension with these categories in Chinese firms, which inhibits the adoption and diffusion of eCommerce.