Business organizations around the world engage in e-commerce (EC) and e-business to
support business operations and enhance revenue generation from non-traditional sources.
Studies focusing on EC adoption in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) are just beginning to
emerge in the extant information systems (IS) literature. The objective of this current study
is to investigate factors impacting the acceptance of EC in small businesses in SSA with
Nigeria as an example. A research model based on the Diffusion of Innovation (DIT) and
the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) frameworks were used to guide this
discourse. Such factors as relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, management
support, organizational readiness, external pressure, and IS vendor support were used to
develop relevant hypotheses. Questionnaires were administered to respondents in Nigeria
and data analysis was performed using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique.
Predictions related to relative advantage, management support, and IS vendor support were
confirmed; the other hypotheses were unsupported by the data. The study’s implications
for research and practice are discussed in the chapter.
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Introduction
The emergence of Electronic Commerce (EC) has significantly changed the business
environment for both individuals and businesses around the world (Turban et. al., 2010).
EC arrangements allow sellers to access global markets and buyers have a greater choice
to procure goods and services from a variety of sellers around the world at reduced costs
(Turban et. al., 2010; Ifinedo, 2011). In fact, Turban et. al., (2010) and Grandon & Pearson,
(2004) note that EC enhances productivity for the adopting organization in the following
ways: a) it improves efficiencies through automation of transactions, b) it reduces
