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Developing a B2B web site effectiveness model for SMEs

Chad Lin (CBRCC, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia)
Yu‐An Huang (Department of International Business Studies, National Chi Nan University, Puli, Taiwan)
Rosemary Stockdale (Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia)

Internet Research

ISSN: 1066-2243

Article publication date: 28 January 2011

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Abstract

Purpose

The study examines SMEs' investment in B2B web sites and the relationship between organizational drivers such as adoption readiness and constraints and evaluation of investments. We investigate how these drivers influence the perception of B2B web site benefits and the effect a great understanding of issues has on stakeholder satisfaction in the investment.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach is used to test the hypotheses, which are developed from the literature. Following a pilot study, a survey of 1,000 Australian SMEs with B2B web sites is used to collect the data, which is analyzed using structural equation modeling techniques.

Findings

Findings reveal the mediating relationships between organizational drivers and their influence on SMEs' perceptions of benefits and stakeholder satisfaction and support the B2B web site evaluation effectiveness model. Further insights show that SMEs do not understand the complementary nature of the organizational drivers that support strategic alignment and therefore fail to realize benefits from their web sites.

Research limitations

Limitations of the research are noted and discussed with regard to constructs and the views of survey respondents.

Practical implications

Results suggest that SMEs consider reallocation and/or prioritization of resources and business objectives in order to improve their IT investment evaluation practices. This would have a direct impact on the level of IT benefits realized, and ultimately affect the degree of stakeholder satisfaction with B2B web site adoption.

Originality/value

A key contribution is the development of a B2B web site evaluation effectiveness model that supports greater understanding of how SMEs can gain more value from their B2B web sites.

Keywords

Citation

Lin, C., Huang, Y. and Stockdale, R. (2011), "Developing a B2B web site effectiveness model for SMEs", Internet Research, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 304-325. https://doi.org/10.1108/10662241111139327

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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