Perceived barriers towards the use of e-trade processes by Korean SMEs.

Purpose: E-trade (or electronic trading) appears to offer increased efficiency in business processes, but only a limited number of small firms in Korea have adopted the new processes. The purpose of this paper is to try to establish the obstacles and the perceived barriers to the continuing use of e-trade technologies by small Korean firms. Design/methodology/approach: The literature was employed to develop a theoretical model that includes perceived risk and the environment. The model was operationalised in a questionnaire completed by 164 respondents. LISREL validated the instrument and the model. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings: The authors found that information risk and business risk negatively affect adoption and use. The authors also tested the relationship between the environment of the organisation and adoption of e-trade. The results show that the maturity of information technology and the innovation characteristics of the firm have positive influences on the adoption of e-trade. Research limitations/implications: This study uses data from existing users, so the findings extend the existing literature about decisions to adopt and use new processes. The data are, however, limited to the Korean context. Practical implications: The study demonstrates the negative influence of perceptions about risk associated with innovative processes. Thus, this awareness and understanding of how barriers are perceived should help to increase the diffusion of e-trade systems. The authors' findings indicate what has to be done for developing and extending the use of e-trade. Originality/value: The study is novel and contributes to the understanding of the adoption and use of new processes

The adoption of e-trade innovations by Korean small and medium sized firms.

The purpose of this study was to explore the adoption of e-trade innovations by small-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in South Korea. Employing a modified TAM model, which included the industry environment and convenience factors, we surveyed 164 SMEs to develop a useful refined model of innovation acceptance and continuity of use for international e-trade. We found that usefulness of the innovation was predictive of adoption, whilst convenience only predicted practical use but not continuing use. Moreover, industry variables were powerful predictors. Although e-trade offers SMEs considerable competitive advantage, it appears that widespread adoption is contingent upon a mature infrastructure

Studies in Trade and Investment: The Development Impact of Information Technology in Trade Facilitation

The main purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview and the context of the country studies on IT in TF in SMEs. Following this introductory clarification of the differing views about the importance of IT in TF, where the interests of SMEs lay and how these interests are promoted, section A summarizes the different country studies covering several aspects of IT in TF. Section B derives some implications from the country studies. Section C introduces the contents of the succeeding chapters.Trade facilitation, ICT, IT, SMEs

Design as a driver of innovation in the East Midlands

This study reports on research and consultation with local stakeholders to discuss the role of design as part of the innovation agenda in the East Midlands. A key finding of this research iss that the East Midlands has a very strong design industry and that businesses in the region use design to a much greater extent than in most other regions

Internationalization of South Korean software SMEs: A multiple-case study on market selection, expansion patterns and the influence of large business conglomerates

The purpose of the thesis was to examine the internationalization process of South Korean software SMEs with a focus on their market selection and international expansion patterns. In addition, the thesis aimed to determine whether the presence of large business conglomerates in the domestic market, a unique characteristic of the South Korean economy, had any significant influence on the internationalization process of these software SMEs. In order to explore the topic, the thesis used the revised, business network version of the Uppsala model as the theoretical framework and employed a qualitative multiple-case study research design with a total of four case companies. Based on the findings, this thesis emphasized that the market size and the expected opportunities in the potential market were the most important influencing factors behind market selection for these companies. Furthermore, findings showed that the international expansion of these companies happened in an accelerated pace which was influenced considerably by network relationships. Finally, the thesis argued that large business conglomerates did not have a significant influence on the overall internationalization process of South Korean software SMEs. However, their presence could have limited the options to start internationalization

Diversity and SMEs : Existing Evidence and Policy Tensions : ERC White Paper No.3

The purpose of this White Paper is to present an overarching review of the evidence that currently exists with regard to diversity and SMEs. It outlines longstanding concerns that entrepreneurial activities and ambitions are restricted to a narrow range of social groups, with others, in particular some ethnic minority groups and women, characterised as having both lesser interest in enterprise and lower levels of resources necessary to participate. Attempts to increase participation rates of under-represented groups have resulted in only modest changes. This White Paper introduces the key evidence relating to ethnic minority and women-led enterprises, explaining the context of each group, and summarising research evidence relating to their relative access to finance, markets and management. Research and policy within the field of diversity and SMEs is characterised by a number of tensions, relating to perceived or real discrimination; whether to promote a volume of new businesses or focus on high growth potential firms; whether specialist business support is more effective or desirable than mainstream provision; and whether there is evidence of market failure in the support provided to diverse enterprises