Open AccessThe impact of e-commerce adoption on business strategy in Saudi Arabian small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
Author(s) -
Joman S Alzahrani
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
seikei ronsō/review of economics and political science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2631-3561
pISSN - 0387-3285
DOI - 10.1108/reps-10-2018-013
Subject(s) - business , e commerce , context (archaeology) , small and medium sized enterprises , marketing , originality , strategic management , small business , qualitative research , paleontology , social science , finance , sociology , political science , law , biology
Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact of e-commerce on business strategy, especially on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia. It also investigates the relationship between e-commerce and business strategy and how the e-commerce niche changes SMEs’ strategic management approach. Additionally, this paper identifies the factors that moderate this relationship. Design/methodology/approach To evaluate and examines the impact of e-commerce on business strategy, the study used a quantitative method by conducting a questionnaire survey in Saudi Arabian SMEs. Findings The analysis of collected data confirms that e-commerce adoption has an impact on SMEs strategies. Many participants asserted that the introduction of e-commerce in Saudi market has changed their businesses’ plans and strategies. The findings identify the major factors that moderate and predict the relationship between e-commerce and business strategy. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by discussing and examining the impact of e-commerce adoption on SMEs strategies in the context of Saudi Arabian SMEs. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between e-commerce and business strategies. The findings of this study can benefit SMEs’ owners, managers and employees to understand and acknowledge the impact of e-commerce on their plans and strategies. It also can assist policymakers and governments to develop suitable policies and initiatives.