Technological Hurdles to Caribbean E-Commerce

Author(s):  
William Wresch ◽  
Simon Fraser

Studies summarized by the United Nations Commission on Trade and Development continue to show that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries face particular problems with managerial skills, connectivity, branding, logistics, security, and foreign competition. Yet the same studies note that barriers and e-commerce efforts vary considerably from one region of the world to another. To determine if these barriers are significant in the Caribbean region, during July and August of 2004, the principle investigators visited business executives in five Caribbean nations. 36 businesses and government agencies were interviewed. General results showed significant e-commerce efforts underway in these countries with most enabling technologies and business systems in place. However, several major barriers were repeatedly encountered. Logistics challenges, including shipping and customs barriers, as well as recent import controls in the United States were frequently mentioned. Many also described a banking sector unwilling or unable to facilitate convenient electronic payment systems. Nevertheless, executives described a number of e-commerce strategies which could be adopted by other SMEs that wish to increase their e-commerce income. The investigators present four managerial characteristics that were seen in the leading businesses. The authors hope the results of this study will suggest improved strategies for SMEs in developing countries seeking to use e-commerce to expand their markets.

Author(s):  
Gyamfi-Yeboah Kwabena ◽  
Mei Qiang ◽  
Li Wenyuan ◽  
Sikander Ali Qalati ◽  
Daria Erusalkina

Small and medium enterprises can employ a digital payment system to increase the trade and satisfy the trading partners and other stakeholders. The use of digital payment system faster the business transactions, and decrease the cost among parties. This study conducted to examines the effects of the digital payment system on SME’s performance. This study used a technology-organizational-environmental framework to investigate the effects of the digital payment system. This study used a closed-ended self-administered questionnaire to collect data. Data collected from September 2019 to November 2019. The respondents of the study were executives and owners of SMEs. The partial least squares structural equation modeling approach utilized to analyze the data. The findings of the study include significant effects of technology, organizational, environmental, and use of digital payment systems on SME’s performance. This study helps the owner of SME’s to execute the digital payment system to foster trade and relationship with stakeholders. KEYWORDS: Small and medium enterprises, Digital payment system, technological-organizational-environmental framework, Developing countries, SME’s performance, Ghana


Author(s):  
Huong Vu Thanh ◽  
Thu Anh Nguyen ◽  
Mai Thi Thanh Nguyen

Technological innovation state funds supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are not common in the developing countries like Vietnam, but are common in the developed nations like the European countries and Korea. The financial and non-financial support of these funds has contributed significantly to the development of many SMEs. Learning from the funds which have successfully facilitated SMEs in innovating and developing advanced technologies is meaningful to the Vietnamese sicence and techonology management bodies and state funds. This article will review the experience of some typical fund in supporting SMEs, thereby providing some lessons for technology innovation Funds of Vietnam to create a more favorable environment for SMEs to access funds.


2020 ◽  
pp. 205-210
Author(s):  
A. M. Meirmanova

The presented study examines e-commerce technologies a new conceptual framework of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries.Aim. The study aims to identify factors for the implementation and acceptance of e-commerce among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries.Tasks. The authors utilize tools of G. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory to describe the emotional attitude of an individual to the use of technology.Methods. This study examines various aspects of the method of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), which is implemented in many studies of behavioral intentions of individuals in the adoption of new technologies.Results. For the first time, a conceptual (predictive) model based on four moderating variables is proposed. The variables include such cultural dimension parameters as power distance index  (PDI), individualism/collectivism  (IDV), uncertainty avoidance  (UAI), and long-term/short-term orientation (LTO). These moderators boost the effect of the basic constructs on the behavioral propensity for the use and application of technologies.Conclusions. Based on the considered conceptual framework, the authors propose a number of recommendations for the development of tools that would ensure the required level of employee engagement in the acceptance and use of e-commerce technologies among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. Another promising direction involves using the tools of G. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory to examine the specific aspects of the acceptance and use of information technology among organizations belonging to different national business cultures.


Author(s):  
Davinder Singh ◽  
Jaimal Singh Khamba ◽  
Tarun Nanda

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been noted to play a significant role in promoting economic growth in less developed countries, developing and also in developed countries. Worldwide, the micro and small enterprises have been accepted as the engine of economic growth of any nation. Small and Medium Enterprises are the backbone of the economies, because it trigger employment, output, export, poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, economic development etc. in developed as well as in developing countries. It is more important to developing countries as the poverty and unemployment are burning problems. MSMEs have been playing a momentous role in overall economic development of a country like India where millions of people are unemployed or underemployed. Therefore, the growth of small sectors is essential for the growth in the GDP, employment generation, total manufacturing production and export. India, being one of the fastest growing economies of the world, needs to pay an honest attention for the utmost growth of MSMEs for its increased contribution in above areas.


SAGE Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401769715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Foghani ◽  
Batiah Mahadi ◽  
Rosmini Omar

This research attempts to explore the importance of cluster-based systems in preparation for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to go global, and it is an ongoing research. The findings of this research are aimed at providing insights to policy makers, academicians, and practitioners with the objective of creating initiatives, strategies, and policies, which reflect the primary aim of supporting SMEs in managing global challenges. SMEs that are cluster-based have the potential to facilitate the successful inclusion of SMEs in the growth of productivity and networks of global distribution. Most Asian developing countries are in the dark when it comes to this matter. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relations between the capabilities of the networks and clusters in developing SMEs’ preparedness in facing business players in the global arena. This study’s scope includes specific Asian developing countries. Even though the issue of clusters in SMEs has been well researched in developed countries, such empirical studies are still lacking in the Asian region despite its prevalent collectivism practice. In the concluding analysis, the study intends to develop a model emphasizing the cluster-based industrial SMEs toward globalization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Josephine Ofori Adofo

Although electrification rates have increased in developing countries, the poor quality of electricity still remains a challenge. This paper studies the effects of electrification at the intensive margin, using a fixed effects approach. I find that power outages significantly reduce employment, earnings, and hours of work. A key channel through which outages affect employment is decreased prevalence of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) among households. Evidence indicates that severe outages reduce opportunities for households to indulge in income generating activities. The decrease in employment opportunities is further exacerbated by reduced industrial growth and changes in the industrial composition. The results suggest that unreliable electricity may have a negative implication for job creation in developing countries.


2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-237
Author(s):  
Isabel Edith Torres Zapata ◽  
Omar Vargas Orellana

It is difficult to find cases of technology-based Small and Medium Enterprises in developing countries, however Chile has some within the biotechnology sector. How has this been possible? As a consequence of the different public policies and structural economic conditions that allowed their emergence, especially in the 1990s. This study describes the historical conditions and how they have been able to create a sector within the Chilean economy. From the analysis of secondary data the emergence of this type of company within the country is described. This analysis shows the link between structural conditions and appropriate public policies, meaning that these companies did not emerge by chance. Understanding their development process is crucial to promote the creation of more such technology-based Small and Medium Enterprises, as they have many positive externalities and are more globally competitive.


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