B2b e-commerce technology factors with mediating effect perceived usefulness in jordanian manufacturing smes

Abstract

The adoption of electronic commerce (e-commerce) for the business to business model category in business operations is currently no longer a privilege merely to large organizations; the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can also benefit from the adoption. Although the SMEs are considered to play a major role in the economic growth of most nations, they are generally moving slower towards adopting B2B e-commerce compared to larger organizations. It is important to determine the factors influencing intention to continue using B2B e-commerce by the SMEs so that they can effectively use it without wasting their limited resources. This study aims to examine the factors that affect the intention to continue using B2B e-commerce among the manufacturing SMEs in Jordan using the Technological, Organizational and Environmental Model (TOE) that has been developed by Tornatzky and Fleischer. The quantitative method has been applied in this study where data collection has been done using a self-administrated questionnaire distributed to the SMEs in the manufacturing sector in Jordan. The total number of valid questionnaires is 168. Data analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique indicates that relative advantage, top management support and information intensity have a significant indirect effect on intention to continue using B2B e-commerce, through Perceived Usefulness (PU). Perceived usefulness, from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), mediates the relationship of each of the two factors: relative advantage and information intensity with the intention to continue using B2B e-commerce.