Jacopo Ballerini , Dennis Herhausen , Alberto Ferraris
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引用次数: 9
Abstract
To cope with the digital transition exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, managers of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) need to adopt innovative practices to face uncertain scenarios and create long-term value, identified as transformational entrepreneurship practices. Among emerging digital technologies, digital platforms are shaping and outgrowing the e-commerce channel representing a potential opportunity for manufacturing SMEs to embrace digital transformation. Drawing on affordance theory, this research uses a mixed method approach to investigate how manufacturing SMEs’ e-commerce commitment and digital platform adoption stimulate the actualization of three e-commerce affordances: consumer knowledge generation, internationalization, and customer diversification. Based on survey responses from 165 manufacturing SME managers, we find that direct selling through owned websites actualizes consumer knowledge generation and internationalization, indirect selling actualizes customer diversification and internationalization, and agency selling through third-party platforms actualizes all three affordances. The relationship between e-commerce commitment and ecommerce performance is mediated by consumer knowledge generation and internationalization but not by customer diversification. A fsQCA analysis outlines seven configurations actualizing these e-commerce affordances by pairing different ecommerce approaches with degrees of e-commerce commitment. Finally, an analysis of open-ended questions from 24 respondents complements the study and deeply interprets the seven unique configurations outlined.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Information Management (IJIM) is a distinguished, international, and peer-reviewed journal dedicated to providing its readers with top-notch analysis and discussions within the evolving field of information management. Key features of the journal include:
Comprehensive Coverage:
IJIM keeps readers informed with major papers, reports, and reviews.
Topical Relevance:
The journal remains current and relevant through Viewpoint articles and regular features like Research Notes, Case Studies, and a Reviews section, ensuring readers are updated on contemporary issues.
Focus on Quality:
IJIM prioritizes high-quality papers that address contemporary issues in information management.