Digital marketing adoption and success for small businesses

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Ritz ◽  
Marco Wolf ◽  
Shaun McQuitty
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Digital Marketing ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Behavior Model ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
Small Business Owner ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to examine small business’ participation in digital marketing and to integrate the do-it-yourself (DIY) behavior model and technology acceptance model (TAM) so as to explore the motivations and expected outcomes of such participation. Design/methodology/approach Data from 250 small business owners/managers who do their own digital promotion are collected through an online survey. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the relationships between the models. Findings The results contribute to the understanding of small business’ digital marketing behavior by finding support for the idea that the technological benefits may not be the only motivators for small business owner/managers who undertake digital marketing. Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, the authors find that the DIY behavior model applies to small business owner/managers who must perform tasks that require specialized knowledge. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this research are that the motivations to undertake digital marketing are limited to those contained in the DIY and TAM models, and the sample may not be representative of all owners and managers who perform digital marketing for their small businesses. Therefore, future research is needed to determine if further motivations to conduct digital marketing exist and whether other samples produce the same interpretations. Originality/value This study presents empirical evidence supporting the application of the DIY model to a context outside of home-repair and extends the understanding of digital footprint differences between large and small businesses.

Power, dependence and frustration

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard Stone
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Power ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Advisor Roles ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Advisory Role

Purpose – This study aims to explore the existence and strength of power through focussing on the manner in which accountants exercise power in their advisory relationship with small business. Design/methodology/approach – Interviews provided insights into accountants’ power-related perceptions, experiences and use of power in the advisory relationship. A questionnaire accessed evidence from small business owner-managers (SBOMs). Power theoretical perspectives informed the analysis of the findings. Findings – Accountants’ expert and information power is a consequence of SBOMs’ dependence on their accountants’ expertise and knowledge. Accountants construct advisor roles and exercise power in a manner indicating that they attempt to manage rather than exploit power imbalances to the detriment of dependent SBOMs. However, outbreaks of frustration and conflict in the relationship illustrate the difficulties in managing the dysfunctional consequences of power imbalances. Research limitations/implications – While the findings are restricted to the Australian accountant–small business advisory relationship, they offer a basis for research into the effect of power on the relationship in other national contexts. Research which includes the views of managers of failed small businesses would also extend this work. Practical implications – The study’s focus on accountants’ experiences can assist practitioners endeavouring to develop advisory relationships with small business and designers of professional development programmes seeking to optimise the value of the advisory relationship. Originality/value – The paper extends the study of power to the under-researched yet important accountant–small business advisory area. Its findings are of interest to accountants and accounting policymakers who envisage a broadening of accountants’ small business advisory role.

scholarly journals Modeling crowdfunders’ behavioral intention to adopt the crowdfunding-waqf model (CWM) in Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Asmy Mohd Thas Thaker ◽  
Hassanudin Mohd Thas Thaker ◽  
Anwar Allah Pitchay
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Liquidity Constraint ◽  
Muslim Countries ◽  
The Government

PurposeWaqf institutions in many Muslim countries including in Malaysia are facing liquidity constraints in developing waqf land. This paper aims to offer a sustainable model of source of financing for waqf institutions to meet their liquidity constraint in developing waqf land, which is known as the crowdfunding–waqf model (CWM). Later, CWM validated its acceptance in the field among the crowdfunders by adopting the theory of technology acceptance model (TAM).Design/methodology/approachThe primary data are collected from the survey administered to donors or crowdfunders in Selangor, Penang, Johor and Pahang. The total number of respondents aren= 1,000. The analysis is conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsBased on findings, both the perceived usefulness and perceived easy to use of CWM are found to have a positive impact on the behavioral intention of crowdfunders or donors in assisting waqf institutions to develop waqf land in Malaysia. Furthermore, perceived easy to use has a positive relationship and direct effect on perceived usefulness of crowdfunders to use the CWM.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations of the current study. The sample size and area of study become the obvious limitations. Thus, there is a need for caution in the interpretation of the results, and the conclusion cannot be as generalized. Besides, the use of current factors might limit the ability to explore other potentially important determinants of the crowdfunders’ behavioral intention on using CWM. Thus, future research can be conducted by incorporating new factors and provide new insights for optimizing CWM. Other potential moderator variables should be included into the research model in order to obtain more robust results.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper will provide a new avenue for waqf institutions to raise funds for developing waqf land, particularly in Malaysia. The present study also has implications for the government and policymakers. Through CWM, it enables to reduce the expenses of the government for the development of waqf land. Indeed, CWM could be applied in other Muslim countries that are facing liquidity constraint in developing waqf land.Originality/valueThis paper offers an additional literature on waqf and crowdfunding, especially in the Malaysian context. The paper proposes a viable alternative model for waqf institutions as a source of financing by using crowdfunding.

The Use of ICTs in Small Business

2011 ◽  
pp. 3921-3927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Small Business Owner ◽  
Communications Technologies

This article examines the main drivers and barriers facing small business owner/managers in the manner in which they use information and communications technologies (ICTs) within their businesses. The early part of the article examines thenotion of whatis meantby smallbusiness. Thediscussion then moves onto describing some of the drivers and barriers to the use of ICTs in small business and the implications of these to small businesses.

Comparing small business owner and voter beliefs regarding constraints on business growth

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-341
Author(s):  
Trey Malone ◽  
Antonios M. Koumpias
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Small Business Owner ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis research note compares voter opinions regarding small business entrepreneurial activity to opinions of small business owners and links any divergence in perceptions to realized suboptimal entrepreneurial growth policy.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data collection via best–worst scaling and estimation of linear regression models.FindingsResults suggest that small business owners are less concerned about issues such as foreign competition, estate/death taxes, oil prices and labor union demands but are more concerned with domestic competition, income taxes, regulatory burdens and availability of credit from lenders.Social implicationsThe authors find major discrepancies in opinions about trade policy and business financing, which may lead to policy design that hinders entrepreneurship given evidence that politicians do respond to voters' opinions (Autor et al., 2016).Originality/valueIt represents the first empirical assessment of differences between voter and small business owner perspectives on entrepreneurial policy. An immediate policy implication includes the need to provide additional avenues of communication of entrepreneurs' concerns.

scholarly journals Non-relational conditions necessary for mentoring of black small business owner–managers in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal Rootman ◽  
Elmarie Venter ◽  
Makatleho J. Matabooe
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Board Members ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Small Business Owner ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add

Orientation: This study focuses on effective mentoring of black small business owner–managers. It aims to gain an understanding of non-relational conditions necessary for the mentoring of their businesses.Research purpose: To identify non-relational-based conditions for effective mentoring of black small business owner–managers. Effective mentoring can help enhance business management skills and improve the survival of small businesses in South Africa.Motivation for the study: Previous research on mentoring mainly focused on relational conditions required for mentoring. It is equally important to investigate non-relational conditions required for mentoring and provide recommendations to help achieve effective mentoring of small business owner–managers.Research design, approach and method: An interpretivism paradigm and qualitative research methodology were followed. The experiences of participants were obtained through semi-structured interviews.Main findings: Conditions surrounding the accessibility of the mentoring location, accessibility of mentoring resources, capacity of mentors, financial support, marketing strategies and practical arrangements for the mentoring process are essential during mentoring of black small business owner–managers.Practical and managerial implications: Investigating the experiences of mentors, mentees and board members or managers provides insight into non-relational conditions required for effective mentoring of black small business owner–managers. Recommendations are provided to help enhance mentoring facilities and ultimately the success and longevity of small businesses.Contribution and value-add: Knowledge of non-relational conditions required for effective mentoring could result in successful skills development of owner–managers. Ultimately, the decision-making of owner–managers could be improved, and the success and longevity of their businesses could be enhanced.

scholarly journals Corporate Regulation and Corporate Governance of Small Businesses in Australia

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumudini Heenetigala ◽  
Anona Armstrong ◽  
Andrew Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
Business Associations ◽  
Small Business Owner ◽  
Australian Research Council ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
Industry Associations

This paper presents the results of a study of small business owner /managers and CEOs of industry associations in relation to corporate regulation and corporate governance for small businesses in Australia. It is part of a larger project investigating regulation and small business governance supported by an Australian Research Council grant and COSBOA. A survey of the CEOs of small business associations and small business owner/managers investigated the corporate governance practices of small businesses, their understanding of their duties as directors, their approach to managing risks and accountability, the regulatory difficulties experienced by small businesses, and the factors that inhibited or promoted the performance of small business.

scholarly journals Determinants of Small Business Owner Loan

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Jiameng Ma
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
The United States ◽  
Agency Cost ◽  
Cost Of Debt ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
Small Business Owner ◽  
Small Business Finance ◽  
United States Economy ◽  
Agency Cost Of Debt

Shareholders and debtholders have diverging objectives. Shareholders are residual claimants whereas debtholders are fxed claimants to frm’s assets. In leveraged frms, shareholders may increase the value of their claims at the expense of debtholders. The presence of shareholders being debtholders is a smart interest alignment, providing a solution to shareholder-debtholder conflicts. This paper focuses on small businesses, which play an important role in the United States economy but are generally neglected by academia. Utilizing National Survey of Small Business Finance (NSSBF) data, this paper shows that frms with higher agency cost of debt are more likely to issue owner loan. The incidence of small business owner loan is positively associated with external lending diffculty, low shareholder agency cost and frm valuation diffculty.

scholarly journals Small Business Post–COVID-19: Motivational Needs through Uncertain Times

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Stefanie Ertel
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
Small Business Owner ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The People ◽  
Health Standards ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Question Survey

Small businesses have been significantly impacted by the effects of COVID-19. Not only have many needed to close their physical doors, but now there are extra health standards and social distancing requirements. Research from other studies, a one-question survey, and research from readily available resources have all been taken into account in the following research to focus on the motivating needs of businesses post–COVID-19. It is important for the small business owner to be aware of the effects this will have on the physical environment and also on the needs of their employees and customers. It is important to remember that various level needs can be worked on at the same time. Most importantly, it is critical to remember that one’s business is not just about numbers and to-do lists, but rather the relationships, the people that make up one’s business, and the impact on others and the community.

Antecedents of the adoption of building information modeling technology in Korea

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1735-1749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunil Park ◽  
Sang Jib Kwon ◽  
Jinyoung Han
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Building Information Modeling ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Acceptance Model

Purpose Although the notable and significant role of building information modeling (BIM) technologies in construction industries has gained user attention, only few studies have been examined on the user adoption of the technologies. The purpose of this paper is to introduce an acceptance model for BIM technologies and investigate how external factors which were extracted by in-depth interviews promote the adoption of such technologies. Design/methodology/approach An on-line survey was conducted by two South Korean survey agencies to test the acceptance model for BIM technologies. Then, the structural equation modeling (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) methods were used. Findings The results of the SEM and CFA methods from on-site construction employees (n=818) in Korea collected by the online survey indicate that compatibility and organizational support play a core role in positively and significantly affecting both perceived ease of use and usefulness, and that the connections introduced by the origin technology acceptance model are mainly confirmed. Originality/value Using the findings of the results, both implications and notable limitations are presented. Moreover, practical developers, as well as academic researchers can employ the results when they attempt to conduct future research.

How food retailing changed in Turkey: spread of self-service technologies

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ipek Kazancoglu ◽  
Emel Kursunluoglu Yarimoglu
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to predict customers’ intentions to use self-checkouts based on the technology acceptance model (TAM). Design/methodology/approach The questionnaire consisted of constructs taken from the existing literature such as perceived ease of use (PEU), perceived usefulness (PU), behavioral intentions, technology anxiety (TA), perceived risk (PR), need for interaction (NI), and situational factors (SF). Before preparing the questionnaire, the focus group studies were organized to gain deeper insights regarding customers’ views about self-checkouts. Based on the results of the focus groups, some items in the constructs were adapted, and the questionnaire was generated. The field study was conducted via face-to-face survey with 500 customers chosen by stratified random sampling. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to validate the relationships hypothesized in the conceptual model among constructs. Findings Out of the 16 hypotheses, 10 were found to be significant. The hypotheses related to the effects of PR, PEU, PU, intentions, while the effects of NI on PU and intentions; the effects of SF on intentions were not accepted in the study. According to the findings, PEU, PU, and TA affected intentions whereas PR, NI, and SF did not. Research limitations/implications There were some limitations related to demographics, attitudes, SF, and actual usage of self-checkouts. Practical implications To avoid queues, retailers should install a sufficient number of user-friendly and simple interfaced self-checkouts with well-trained employees to encourage usage and reduce the perceived risk and anxiety. Originality/value The main contribution of this study was that the effects of different constructs were measured on Turkish customers’ intentions to use self-checkouts, which could be used in formulating marketing strategies as well as considering future research directions. The paper also provided additional insights into the effects of SF, TA, NI, and PR, all of which were added to the TAM in this study.

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