Proliferation of the Internet economy: e-commerce for global adoption, resistance, and cultural evolution

320 Pages·2009·4.9 MB·English

by  Mahmud Akhter Shareef

Proliferation of the
Internet Economy:
E-Commerce for Global Adoption,
Resistance, and Cultural Evolution
Mahmud Akhter Shareef
Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
Yogesh Kumar Dwivedi
Swansea University, UK
Michael D. Williams
Swansea University, UK
Nitish Singh
Boeing Institute of Internatonal Business, St. Louis University, USA
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Proliferation of the Internet economy: e-commerce for global adoption, resistance and cultural evolution / by
Mahmud Akhter Shareef ... [et al.].
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: “This book specifically develops theories to understand
service quality and quality management practice of EC which is completely a new and innovative effort to formulate
perceptions of global consumers”--Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-1-60566-412-5 (hardcover) -- ISBN 978-1-60566-413-2 (ebook) 1. Electronic commerce. 2. Electronic
commerce--Technological innovations. 3. Information technology. 4. Internet--Economic aspects. I. Shareef,
Mahmud Akhter, 1966-

HF5548.32.P78 2009
658.8’72--dc22
2008047732
British Cataloguing in Publication Data
A Cataloguing in Publication record for this book is available from the British Library.
All work contributed to this book is new, previously-unpublished material. The views expressed in this book are
those of the authors, but not necessarily of the publisher.
Dedication
To my parents for their love and eternal blessings
Mahmud A. Shareef
To my brother, Dr. Dinesh Dwivedi, for his blessings, support and ever lasting
motivation
Yogesh K. Dwivedi
To my sons, Jonathan, David, and Peter, the best any father could wish for
Michael D. Williams
Table of Contents
Foreword...............................................................................................................ix
Preface...................................................................................................................xi
Acknowledgment..............................................................................................xviii
Division.i
E-Commerce:.A.Global.Phenomenon
Chapter.i
introduction.to.E-Commerce...............................................................................1
Abstract ..................................................................................................................1
Introduction ............................................................................................................1
Background ............................................................................................................3
E-Commerce: A Global Phenomenon ....................................................................5
References ....................................................................................................................7
Chapter.ii
E-Commerce.Background....................................................................................9
Abstract .................................................................................................................9
Introduction ........................................................................................................... 9
Evolution of the Internet .......................................................................................11
Electronic-Commerce ..……………....................................................................15
References ............................................................................................................33
Division.ii
Service.Quality.for.Global.Consumers
Chapter.iii
Service.Quality.of.E-Commerce.for.Global.Consumers.................................40
Abstract ................................................................................................................40
Introduction ..........................................................................................................40
Electronic-Commerce Service Quality .................................................................41
Models of EC Service Quality ..............................................................................44
Service Quality, Cultural Diversity, and EC Adoption and Proliferation ............55
Related Issues .......................................................................................................56
References ............................................................................................................57
Chapter.iV
Global.Quality.Management.Practice.for.E-Commerce.................................65
Abstract ................................................................................................................65
Introduction ......................................................................................................... 65
Quality and Quality Management Practice .........................................................67
Quality Concepts for EC ......................................................................................68
Quality Management Practice .............................................................................71
Conclusion ...........................................................................................................72
References ............................................................................................................74
Division.iii
Adoption,.Proliferation,.and.Resistance:.
impact.and.Globalization
Chapter.V
E-Commerce.Diffusion:.Critical.Factors.Affecting.Diffusion.of.
E-Commerce........................................................................................................79
Abstract ................................................................................................................79
Introduction ..........................................................................................................80
Diffusion of E-Commerce .....................................................................................82
Impacts of Diffusion .............................................................................................84
Prime Stakeholders of Diffusion of E-Commerce ................................................87
Critical Factors Affecting Diffusion of E-Commerce ..........................................90
Conclusion and Future Research Direction .........................................................98
References ................................................................................................................100
Chapter.Vi
Diffusion.of.E-Commerce.in.Developed.and.Developing.Countries:.
Comparative.Studies.........................................................................................107
Abstract ..............................................................................................................107
Case Studies .......................................................................................................107
Comparative Statement ......................................................................................133
References ..........................................................................................................136
Chapter.Vii
E-Commerce.Adoption.in.Developing.Countries...........................................140
Abstract ..............................................................................................................140
Introduction ........................................................................................................140
Literature Review on EC Adoption ....................................................................143
Perspectives and Process of Adoption ...............................................................146
Theoretical Framework for EC Adoption ..........................................................148
Conclusion and Future Research Direction .......................................................157
References ..........................................................................................................159
Chapter.Viii
In.uencing Factors and the Acceptance of Internet and E-Business
Technologies.in.Maritime.Canada’s.SMEs:.An.Analysis..............................168
Abstract ..............................................................................................................168
Introduction ........................................................................................................169
Background Information ....................................................................................170
Research Methodology .......................................................................................174
Data Analysis and Results .................................................................................175
Findings and Discussions ..................................................................................178
Conclusion .........................................................................................................180
Acknowledgment ................................................................................................182
References ..........................................................................................................182
Appendix ............................................................................................................184
Chapter.iX
Effect.of.Proliferation.and.Resistance.of.internet.Economy:.
Understanding.impact.of.information.and.Communication.Technology.
in.Developing.Countries...................................................................................186
Abstract ..............................................................................................................186
Introduction ........................................................................................................187
Purposes of Promoting Internet Economy .........................................................189
Barriers Against Proliferation of Internet Economy .........................................195
Readiness, Digital Divide, and Capability ........................................................201
Impact of ICT and Conceptual Framework .......................................................203
Conclusion and Future Research Direction ........................................................211
References ..........................................................................................................213
Division.iV
Globalization.of.E-Commerce:.Cultural.Adaptation
Chapter.X
Globalization.and.Relevant.Strategy.for.E-Commerce.................................222
Abstract ..............................................................................................................222
Introduction ........................................................................................................222
De.nition of Related Concepts ..........................................................................227
Functional Characteristics and Issues of EC for Globalization ........................229
Literature Review: Globalization Strategy ........................................................230
Theoretical Framework for Strategy ..................................................................232
Conclusion .........................................................................................................240
References ................................................................................................................242
Chapter.Xi
Culturally.Customizing.international.Web.Sites...........................................251
Abstract ..............................................................................................................251
Introduction ........................................................................................................251
Localization........................................................................................................254
Importance of Web Site Cultural Customization ................................................256
Depiction of Culture on International Web Sites .............................................. 258
Impact of Web Site Cultural Customization .......................................................262
Conclusion .........................................................................................................263
References ................................................................................................................264
Chapter.Xii
A.Cultural.Perspective.on.Web.Site.Localization..........................................269
Abstract ..............................................................................................................269
Introduction ........................................................................................................270
The Localization Model .....................................................................................272
A Brief Literature Review of Web Site Localization ...........................................274
Examples of Good and Bad Practices in Web Site Localization ........................276
The Localization Model: Why and How Useful? ...............................................277
Conclusion and Implications .............................................................................277
References ................................................................................................................279
Chapter.Xiii
Conclusion,.implications,.and.Future.Trends................................................281
Abstract ....................................................................................................................281
Introduction .............................................................................................................281
Conclusion ...............................................................................................................282
Managerial Implications .........................................................................................288
Future Trends ...........................................................................................................291
About.the.Authors.............................................................................................293
Index...................................................................................................................297
ix
Foreword
In the last decade Electronic Commerce has grown from basic trading models and
the supply chain to more sophisticated applications focussing on customers, business
partners, governments, virtual communities, standards, redress and reverse logistics.
The principles of E-Commerce have been adopted and extended to other sectors
such as E-Government, E-Research, E-Management, E-Health, E-Tourism, E-Bank-
ing, and E-Learning using the ubiquitous and universally accepted technology, the
Internet. E-Commerce applications in the private sector has seen an era of rapid
development and adoption, the crash and a renewed expansion due to the demands
and bene.ts of the digital world, cost savings, mobility, ubiquity and extensive use
of technology as well as globalisation.
A unique characteristic of E-Commerce is a 24/7 shop front to the global com-
munity. This feature has not only extended business worldwide, it is resulting in
an appreciation of cultural and language issues in different parts of the world,
universal payment methods and the need for international standards in disparate
jurisdictions. E-Commerce has not only revolutionised the trading trends of the
world it has transformed the back-end processes supporting businesses, modes of
communication with partners and stakeholders, marketing techniques, information
and records management methods and information and knowledge sharing within
and outside organisations.
The increased adoption of E-Commerce worldwide is clear evidence of its dif-
fusion in both developed and developing countries. However, E-Commerce entails
technology-based transactions because of which a large percentage of the world’s
population is unable to take advantage of the benefits of E-Commerce. The digital
divide due to access and ownership, income and education, rural population, devel-
oping nations, culture and age is even today, a barrier to E-Commerce.
This book, “Proliferation of the Internet Economy: E-Commerce for the Global
Adoption, Resistance and Cultural Evolution”, includes chapters addressing per-
tinent issues of E-Commerce development, adoption, proliferation in the global
markets and the implications of digital divide supported with theories, frameworks,
methodologies and implications for managers. It is definitely a valuable resource