The adoption of e-business technology by SMEs

The paper examines the key factors influencing the adoption ofe-business technology by SMEs. To this end, the paper draws on a rangeof literatures on the diffusion of new information and communicationtechnologies (ICTs), many of which have hitherto been treated asseparate. The reasons for this are two-fold. First, e-businesstechnologies are the latest in a line of new ICT technologies. Whenexploited successfully, ICTs have increased firm competitiveness eitherby raising the efficiency of internal communication and organisationand/or supply chain relationships, or by facilitating the development ofnew/improved products and services. Second, it is hypothesised that manyof the factors affecting the successful adoption of new technologies aregeneric in nature. With regards to SMEs specifically, consideration ofearlier research may assist us in identifying a set of enablers andbarriers to e-business adoption. Hence, by explicitly acknowledging thecontext and prior history of research in the area, we are able to mapout the dimensions of future theoretical and empirical research ine-business adoption by SMEs. In addition to drawing together factors identified by existing research,the paper highlights the implications of network externalities for thetiming of technology investments and the returns that accrue to earlyand late adopters. It also draws attention to a number of problemsassociated with the analytical concept of ‘the SME’ when it is appliedto this area. The research proceeds by clearly defining thetechnological and organisational characteristics of the e-business modeland a brief consideration of the trends in adoption in the UK vis-à-visadoption in the other G7 countries. Together these set up a detailedconsideration of the internal and external factors influencing adoption.A qualitative approach, in the form of a detailed case study, is thenused to explore the potential usefulness of the factors that have beenidentified. The results of these findings are then drawn together in theconcluding section of the paper.economics of technology ;

Journalistic interventions: The structural factors affecting the global emergence of fact-checking

Since the emergence of FactCheck.org in the United States in 2003, fact-checking interventions have expanded both domestically and globally. The Duke Reporter’s Lab identified nearly 100 active initiatives around the world in 2016. Building off of previous exploratory work by Amazeen, this research utilizes the framework of critical juncture theory to examine why fact-checking interventions are spreading globally at this point in time. Seen as a professional reform movement in the journalistic community, historical research on reform movements suggests several possible factors influencing the emergence of fact-checking such as a decline in journalism, easy access to technology for the masses, and socio-political strife. This study offers empirical support that fact-checking may be understood as a democracy-building tool that emerges where democratic institutions are perceived to be weak or are under threat and examines similarities between the growth of fact-checking interventions and previous consumer reform movements. As politics increasingly adopts strategies orchestrated by marketing and advertising consultants and agencies – exemplified in the Brexit referendum – political fact-checking may benefit from examining the path of consumer reform movements. For, before fact-checking can be effective at informing individuals, it must first establish itself within a structural environment

The Rise of Mobile and the Diffusion of Technology-Facilitated Trafficking

In this report, researchers at the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy (CCLP) reveal how those involved in human trafficking have been quick to adapt to the 21st-century global landscape. While the rapid diffusion of digital technologies such as mobile phones, social networking sites, and the Internet has provided significant benefits to society, new channels and opportunities for exploitation have also emerged. Increasingly, the business of human trafficking is taking place online and over mobile phones. But the same technologies that are being used for trafficking can become a powerful tool to combat trafficking. The precise role that digital technologies play in human trafficking still remains unclear, however, and a closer examination of the phenomenon is vital to identify and respond to new threats and opportunities.This investigation indicates that mobile devices and networks have risen in prominence and are now of central importance to the sex trafficking of minors in the United States. While online platforms such as online classifieds and social networking sites remain a potential venue for exploitation, this research suggests that technology facilitated trafficking is more diffuse and adaptive than initially thought. This report presents a review of current literature, trends, and policies; primary research based on mobile phone data collected from online classified sites; a series of firsthand interviews with law enforcement; and key recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders moving forward

Adoption of Mobile Service UpgradeL New and Current Users

The third generation (3G) mobile channels allow individuals to download digital content in anytime, at anywhere. The 3G mobile services include services like peer chatting, mobile games and movie download. While many studies explore why individuals adopt 3G mobile services, most of them consider 3G adoption to be a new technology adoption. Will users’ experience on older version of mobile services (e.g. 2G and 2.5G) influence their adoption decision on their 3G adoption? Hypotheses linking variables based on diffusion innovation technology and user’s mobile services usage background were developed. We conducted a survey and collected 175 responses. Our findings establish that different factors affecting users who have used the older version of mobile services and users’ decision to use or not to use 3G mobile services is a service upgrade decision, rather than an adoption decision

Interactive Food and Beverage Marketing: Targeting Children and Youth in the Digital Age

Looks at the practices of food and beverage industry marketers in reaching youth via digital videos, cell phones, interactive games and social networking sites. Recommends imposing governmental regulations on marketing to children and adolescents

Green Advertising and Millennials

This study investigates the responsiveness of Millennials to green versus non-green framed automobile print ads. A 2x2 factorial design was used in which specific advertising frames were manipulated to measure ad attitudes, purchase intentions, and skepticism for a high involvement product (i.e., an automobile). Results showed that highly-environmentally-concerned participants have more positive ad attitudes and greater purchase intentions after viewing a green ad than after viewing a non-green ad. These differences were not evident however for participants who exhibited low-environmental-concern. The results also showed that participants who are more environmentally concerned are less skeptical about green ads than those who are less environmentally concerned. This study adds to the literature on persuasion by identifying individual differences that influence responsiveness to green versus non-green ads. It also provides information to assist marketing managers who are concerned with influencing millennials’ purchases of environmentally friendly products. This study could be extended by exploring the differences in Millennials’ ad attitudes, purchase intentions, and skepticism in response to different types of ads (e.g., banner ads, tv ads) and for a different high involvement product. The sample of Bryant University students was appropriate for this research project, but extending this work to a sample of non-student Millennials, older Millennials, and older adults could increase the generalizability of the results

Customer Attitude Towards Internet Advertising And Online Sales (A Case Study Of Mtn Nigeria)

This research study is focused on customer attitude towards internet advertising and online sales A case study of MTN Nigeria. Relevant literatures were reviewed to have a better understanding of the theoretical frame work of the study. Basically, a survey research designed was employed, and questionnaires (which were the major research instrument of the study) were administered to selected staff. Thus, a simple rand probability sampling technique was adopted while the response rate was Ninety percent (90%) for the administered questionnaires. The study also used chi square, simple frequency distribution and tables as major statistical tools for data analysis, and test of hypotheses. From the analysis, the following findings were made through the test of hypotheses that; there is relationship between availability of an uninterruptible power supply and effective internet advertising/online sales, there is relationship between perfect knowledge (entry and exit) about market situations concerning internet facilities and exact information on customers' behavior on e-commerce, there is evidence to show that high cost of providing information scientifically through internet adverts affect customer behaviour especially the local communities that are illiterate. The following recommendations were made by the researcher that; a quarter of the respondents consider internet access to be very expensive. Government should therefore intervene in the provision of internet services with the view of lowering its cost and making it more accessible to the majority of Nigerians. Since some of respondents feel they do not have need for online shopping, companies offering products on the web should promote the advantages of online shopping to traditional means of exchange

Factors Affecting Users' Purchase Intention and Attitudes towards Mobile Advertising

The growing number of mobile users encourages companies to take advantage of these opportunities to improve their marketing strategy. One of the marketing strategies that can be done through mobile devices is mobile advertising. However, the problem is that many users still consider mobile advertising as spam and many companies do not know how to start mobile advertising. While to start mobile advertising, must first understand the attitude of mobile users themselves. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the factors that can affecting Tokopedia application user's attitude to mobile advertising seen from affective and cognitive side. Additionally, this study aims to analyze the impact of mobile advertising on purchase intention of users to purchase products or services offered through mobile advertising. This research uses quantitative approach which is done by collecting respond from 565 Tokopedia application user's. The data is then analyzed using CB-SEM method using AMOS 21. Based on the results of analysis, the writers found that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, positive emotions, and negative emotions affect the user's attitude towards mobile advertising. Next, attitude also has an effect on user's purchase intention on advertised products or services

Legal capacities required for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases

Law lies at the centre of successful national strategies for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. By law we mean international agreements, national and subnational legislation, regulations and other executive instruments, and decisions of courts and tribunals. However, the vital role of law in global health development is often poorly understood, and eclipsed by other disciplines such as medicine, public health and economics. This paper identifies key areas of intersection between law and noncommunicable diseases, beginning with the role of law as a tool for implementing policies for prevention and control of leading risk factors. We identify actions that the World Health Organization and its partners could take to mobilize the legal workforce, strengthen legal capacity and support effective use of law at the national level. Legal and regulatory actions must move to the centre of national noncommunicable disease action plans. This requires high-level leadership from global and national leaders, enacting evidence-based legislation and building legal capacities