SLRA: Challenges faced by SMEs in the adoption of E-commerce and sustainability in Industry 4.0.

Abstract

The ultimate goal of this article is to delve into and identify the key elements that influence e-business implementation in both "ERP-enabled and non-ERP-enabled" businesses. To comprehensively examine the factors that drive e-business acceptance and to fully articulate the significant intrinsic abilities and traits required to effortlessly convert the organization from brick-and-mortar to click-and-mortar through e-commerce. As the world moves toward technology 5.0, SMEs are unable to thrive in "I-4.0." The COVID-19 epidemic has undoubtedly proven to the world the value of sustainable technology in empowering distant employees. And a very few relative handfuls of literature review-based research have tested the ideas of the "Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework, Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory, and Resource-Based View (RBV) theory", in combination. Furthermore, the comparative study contributes by proposing the profound significance of E-commerce as a mediator variable amongst essential TOE, DOI, and RBV characteristics and company success. The successful adoption and effective use of e-commerce are critical to progressively increasing potential productivity in the digital age. This exploratory research has successful applicability since it employs the "TOE, DOI, and RBV theories" that are appropriate for the implementation of E-commerce and, as a result, contribute to enhancing the efficiency of Indian small and medium companies.