E-Commerce Adoption by Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria

177 Pages·2017·0.83 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2017
E-Commerce Adoption by Small and Medium
Enterprises in Nigeria
Anthony Obioma Nwosu
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Management and Technology

This is to certify that the doctoral study by

Anthony Nwosu

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Michael Lavelle, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Dr. Charlotte Carlstrom, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Dr. Yvonne Doll, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2017
Abstract
E-Commerce Adoption by Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria
by
Anthony Obioma Nwosu

MBA, University of Navarra, 2001
MSC, University of Lagos, 1992
BEng, University of Nigeria, 1988

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
August 2017
Abstract
The future survival of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is inextricably linked to
their implementation of e-commerce systems. The lack of e-commerce strategies among
SME business owners has contributed to a low level of e-commerce adoption by SMEs.
The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that Nigerian SME
business owners used to implement e-commerce systems. The population consisted of
retail SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria, that have functional e-commerce systems. The conceptual
framework supporting the study was dynamic capabilities framework. Data for the study
were derived from semistructured interviews of 4 SME business owners/managers and
documentation from the case companies. Data analysis entailed coding of the interview
transcripts and analysis of documentary data to identify themes. Member checking and
triangulation ensured the credibility of the study. The main themes that emerged from
data analysis include service delivery strategies, dynamic marketing strategies, and
learning and adaptation. The implications for social change include the potential to
contribute to increased wealth creation opportunities for the business owners, their
employees, and the local communities in Nigeria.
E-Commerce Adoption by Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria
by
Anthony Obioma Nwosu

MBA, University of Navarra, 2001
MSC, University of Lagos, 1992
BEng, University of Nigeria, 1988

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
August 2017
Dedication
Dedicated to my late dad, Nnaoma Clement E. Nwosu, and my mom, Ezinne
Janet C. Nwosu, both of whom retired as teachers, for their passion and commitment to
the education of their children and society.
Acknowledgments
First, I thank the Almighty God, who not only kept me alive to actualize this
dream but also provided me with the energy and resources to complete this highly tasking
academic exercise. Special thanks to my chair, Dr. Michael Lavelle, for his exceptional
guidance, support, and timely feedback. I am grateful to my doctoral committee member,
Dr. Charlotte Carlstrom, for her insightful reviews and feedback. I thank Dr. Yvonne
Doll, the university research reviewer, for the deep insights she brought to this study.
My family has been a great pillar of support throughout the duration of this
program. I sincerely thank my darling wife, Maria-Assumpta Chinwe, for all her
encouragement and support even when the journey looked like an impossible mission.
Special thanks to my lovely children, Chiamaka, Ugochi, Chiedozie, Munachi, and
Ikechukwu, for their understanding and support, especially at those times when I could
not give them all the attention they needed because of the demands of this program. I
thank all my siblings, relatives, and friends for their encouragement and understanding
while this program lasted. Finally, I thank all my classmates in the doctoral program who
proved to be a great support system all the way towards the completion of this doctoral
study.
Table of Contents
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv
Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1
Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2
Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................2
Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................3
Research Question .........................................................................................................5
Interview Questions .......................................................................................................5
Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................5
Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................6
Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................7
Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 8
Limitations .............................................................................................................. 8
Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 8
Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................9
Contribution to Business Practice ........................................................................... 9
Implications for Social Change ............................................................................. 10
A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ..............................................10
Dynamic Capability Framework ........................................................................... 12
Rival Theories ....................................................................................................... 22
Small and Medium Enterprises ............................................................................. 30
i
Electronic Commerce............................................................................................ 34
Small and Medium Enterprises and E-Commerce Adoption ................................ 51
E-commerce System Success Strategies ............................................................... 69
Transition .....................................................................................................................74
Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................75
Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................75
Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................75
Participants ...................................................................................................................78
Research Method and Design ......................................................................................80
Research Method .................................................................................................. 80
Research Design.................................................................................................... 82
Population and Sampling .............................................................................................84
Ethical Research...........................................................................................................88
Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................90
Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................93
Data Organization Technique ......................................................................................97
Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................98
Reliability and Validity ..............................................................................................100
Reliability ............................................................................................................ 101
Validity ............................................................................................................... 102
Transition and Summary ............................................................................................106
Section 3: Application to Professional Practice and Implications for Change ................108
ii
Introduction ................................................................................................................108
Presentation of the Findings.......................................................................................108
Applications to Professional Practice ........................................................................127
Implications for Social Change ..................................................................................130
Recommendations for Action ....................................................................................131
Recommendations for Further Research ....................................................................133
Reflections .................................................................................................................133
Conclusion .................................................................................................................135
References ........................................................................................................................137
Appendix A: Letter of Introduction .................................................................................163
Appendix B: NIH Ethical Compliance Certificate ..........................................................164
Appendix C: Interview Protocol ......................................................................................165
Appendix D: Interview Questions ...................................................................................166

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