Sociology of Technology Features of SMES’ E-Commerce (Published)
The aim of this research paper is to discover factors associated with sociology of technology and their impact on SMEs’ E-Commerce Acceptance within Jordanian context. A proposed research’s conceptual model is developed in order to investigate the relationship and influence between sociology of technology associated factors (online social interaction and online commercial interaction) through intermediary factors (Perceived Usability of EC, Perceived advantage of EC, Sentiment toward EC acceptance, EC Use intention) with the adoption of EC innovation. The data analysis was based on 400 Jordanian SMEs; also data analysis was based on multivariate statistical techniques encompassing multiple linear regression, simple linear regression, and one-way ANOVA. The study framework has been shown to be very viable and useful. The framework can be used as a tool to enable Technology innovation and adoption scholars to encourage and advising SMEs to adopt appropriate ecommerce technology to improve their business performance. Suggestions are made to improve the framework with future work to apply this framework in more SMEs. The findings from this research show that the current research framework is beneficial to both governmental and private sectors who intend to accelerate the adoption rate of electronic commerce implementations and their relevant components among SMEs in Jordan.
Keywords: Jordan, Perceived Advantage, Perceived Usability, SMEs, Sociology of Technology
DEVELOPMENT AND UPTAKE OF ENTERPRISE 2.0 IN SMEs: A THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE (Published)
IT and new-networked business structures are removing the sources of friction, producing major dimensions of change that affect every firm and its operations (Tapscott, 2008). They have constantly thrown at us new buzz phrases; the thresholds of dramatic shift in ways firms organize, innovate, and create values. IT infrastructures have become democratized by the Internet; people no longer consume and convey information alone but also create and share contents with others on the Web, be it textual, aural, or visual. The use of Web, which extends to websites, B2B, B2C and e-business application, has made it imperative for organizations to conduct their business and e-business over the Internet. As new ITs such as Enterprise 2.0 emerge, organizations device new strategies and directions to utilize the web to reach out their customers and business partners. Organizations develop new and innovative ways of doing business and react positively to their customers. They often adapt and rely on enterprise systems as its accompanying budget cuts affect travels, marketing expenses, capital investments, and staffing levels (McKinnon, 2009). This theoretical paper builds on existing body of knowledge on Enterprise 2.0 to expand its understanding and applicability by SMEs.
Keywords: Development, SMEs, Uptake of Enterprise 2.0