The effects of technology, organisation and environmental factors on small firm entry to electronic marketplace: a developing country perspective

Abstract

This study attempts to construct a theoretical framework and finally examines the magnitude of the effects of various internal and external factors on Bangladesh's small firm entry to e-marketplace. To attain the research objectives, technology, organisation and environment framework (Tornatzky and Fleischer, 1990) was employed to construct an initial research model which was further fine-tuned through field study. A mixed method research approach (i.e., qualitative field study followed by a quantitative survey) was employed to develop the research model and test hypothesised relationships among the study constructs. A PLS based structural equation modelling was employed with a dataset of 416 SMEs which were collected through a questionnaire survey from different small firms in Bangladesh selected by applying a probability sampling technique. The structural model estimates reveal significant association of perceived compatibility, owner innovativeness, and customer readiness with small firm willingness to participate in electronic marketplace. The study concludes with implications.