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E-Business in SMEs of Thailand: A Descriptive Survey
Abstract
Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) constitute the major contributors to the economic production, distribution and service sectors of Thailand providing employment opportunities and production of goods and services for both domestic and international markets. Many Thai SMEs acknowledge the potential benefits of adopting e-business and Limthongchai et al. (2003) suggests that adoption of e-business practices and processes by SMEs is increasing at a remarkable rate. An apparent outcome of this rapid escalation in the adoption of e-business is that it has led to high competition in the market, with companies providing many special services to attract customers. Many Thai SMEs perceive that the implementation of e-business ensures a competitive advantage. In contrast, there are issues and constraints which need to be overcome before such opportunities can be fully exploited. This paper offers a descriptive survey of the e-business characteristics of SMEs in Thailand. The paper also highlights the status of e-business in Thai SMEs and identifies issues considered important to the SMEs and the perceived barriers to the adoption of e-business. Conclusions are drawn premised on the results of data analysis from the survey conducted amongst the owners and managers of eighty-three SMEs in Thailand from January to April 2004.
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