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E-Commerce and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in S.E.Wales
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Author(s): Brychan Thomas (University of Glamorgan Business School, Wales, UK), Geoff Simmons (University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, UK), Gary Packham (University of Glamorgan, Wales, UK)and Christopher Miller (University of Glamorgan Business School, Wales, UK)
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 14
Source title:
E-Commerce Adoption and Small Business in the Global Marketplace: Tools for Optimization
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Brychan Thomas (University of Glamorgan, UK)and Geoff Simmons (University of Ulster, Northern Ireland)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60566-998-4.ch005
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Abstract
One region where e-commerce will have a particular impact for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over the next few years is South East Wales (SEW). In response to this a survey was undertaken by the Welsh Enterprise Institute (WEI) in collaboration with the Open University Business School and Rennes ESC in Brittany to assess the e-commerce activity of firms within the SEW area. The survey was conducted using a database of 3,000 members provided by the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Industry and a survey form was sent to the sample as a postal questionnaire. Results from the survey demonstrated that nearly all firms used some form of Information Communication Technologies (ICT). The results also highlighted that a significant proportion of the sample (77%) were currently using a Web site to increase trade or improve opportunities for e-commerce. Furthermore, it was observed that firms in the personal services, distribution and transport industries were less likely to utilise a Web site than firms in the manufacturing, business services and hospitality industries. Despite the large proportion of firms that had a Web site, only 11% of businesses reported that their site enabled customers to order and pay for products online although 42% of respondents considered e-commerce to be important for their business’ future. This chapter therefore argues that these results clearly underpin the necessity for an e-commerce policy in SEW for the future competitiveness of the area. There are real opportunities to develop and diversify the SEW economy through e-commerce.
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