Fattori influenti sul ricorso ad Internet nei processi gestionali delle micro-imprese (Influential factors on the use of the Internet in the management processes of micro-enterprises)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7433/s94.2014.05Keywords:
SMEs, micro-enterprises, Internet, company size, internationalizationAbstract
Purpose of the paper: This paper aims to expand on the knowledge regarding the relationship between small businesses and Internet, and in particular it wants to analyze the main factors that influence the decision to use this technology.
Methodology: After a thorough analysis of the literature, a model was created and four hypotheses were developed (which were subsequently subjected to empirical testing on a sample of 600 firms), These are related to different factors that are relevant to the adoption of the Internet: company size, geographical location, the type of industry and the level of internationalization.
Findings: Statistical analysis carried out shows that the use of the Internet in the companies surveyed is still not so widespread, and that the decision to use this technology is influenced by the size of the company and the sector it operates in, while location is not a significant factor.
Limitations of research: The results of the research constitute the first phase of a larger research process. This research process also investigates the ways in which the Internet is used and related implications involved in the competitiveness of enterprises.
Practical implications: The paper highlights the limitations in the adoption of the Internet in micro-enterprises, and it tries to identify the causes of this situation. From these elements useful information can be derived for business management in terms of improving firm competitiveness.
Originality of the paper: Few studies on this topic have addressed the micro-enterprise sector, which among other sectors also holds a significant economic role in Italy and in Europe. This paper aims to fill this gap in order to understand the determinants and implications of the Internet for this particular type of companies.
References
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ARBORE A., ORDANINI A. (2006), “Broadband divide among SMEs. The role of size, location and outsourcing strategies”, International Small Business Journal, vol. 24, n. 1, pp. 83-99.
BAYO-MORIONES A., LERA-LOPEZ F. (2007), “A firm-level analysis of determinants of ICT adoption in Spain”, Technovation, vol. 27, n. 6-7, pp. 352-366.
BENGTSSON M., BOTER H., VANYUSHYN V. (2007), “Integrating the Internet and marketing operations. A study of antecedents in firms of different size”, International Small Business Journal, vol. 25, n. 1, pp. 27-48.
BORDONABA-JUSTE V., LUCIA-PALACIO L., POLO-REDONDO Y. (2012), “The influence of organizational factors on e-business use: analysis of firm size”, Marketing Intelligence & Planning, vol. 30, n. 2, pp. 212-229.
BRYNJOLFSSON E. (1993), “The productivity paradox of information technology”, Communications of the ACM, vol. 36, n. 12, pp. 66-77.
CALDEIRA M.M., WARD J.M. (2003), “Using resource-based theory to interpret the successful adoption and use of information systems and technology in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises”, European Journal of Information Systems, vol. 12, pp. 127-141.
CEDROLA E. (2009), “Internet per le piccole e medie imprese: potenzialità e stato dell’arte in Italia e in Europa”, Mercati e Competitività, n. 1, pp. 20-43.
CENTRO STUDI CNA (2012), Le imprese, nonostante tutto.
CHEUNG W.M., HUANG W. (2002), “An investigation of commercial usage of the World Wide Web: a picture from Singapore”, International Journal of Information Management, vol. 22, n. 5, pp. 377-388.
DANDRIDGE T., LEVENBURG N.M. (2000), “High-tech potential? An exploratory study of very small firms’ usage of the Internet”, International of Small Business Journal, vol. 18, n. 2, pp. 81-91.
DAVIS P.S., HARVESTON P.D. (2000), “Internationalization and organizational growth: the impact of Internet usage and technology involvement among entrepreneur-led family business”, Family Business Review, vol. XIII, n. 2, pp. 107-120.
DAVIS C.H., VLADICA F. (2006), “Use of Internet technologies and e-Business solutions: a structural model of sources of business value among Canadian micro-enterprises”, Proceedings of the 39th Hawaii International Conference on System Science, Jan. 04-07, Kauai, USA.
DHOLAKIA R.R., KSHETRI N. (2004), “Factors impacting the adoption of the Internet among SMEs”, Small Business Economics, vol. 23, n. ???, pp. 311-322.
DRENNAN J., MCCOLL-KENNEDY J.R. (2003), “The relationship between Internet use and perceived performance in retail and professional service firms”, Journal of Service Marketing, vol. 17, n. 3, pp. 295-311.
DREW S. (2003), “Strategic use of e-commerce by SMEs in the East of England”, European Management Journal, vol. 21, n. 1, pp. 79-88.
FILLIS I., JOHANNSON U., WAGNER B. (2004), “Factors impacting on e-business adoption and development in the smaller firm”, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 10, n. 3, pp. 178-191.
FILLIS I., WAGNER B. (2005) “E-business Development: An Exploratory Investigation of the Small Firm”, International Small Business Journal, vol. 23, n.6, pp. 604-634.
GOLINELLI G. (2009), “L’approccio sistemico-vitale: nuovi orizzonti di ricerca per il governo dell’impresa”, Sinergie, n. 79, pp. XI-XXIV.
GOLINELLI G., GATTI M. (2007), “Il pensiero di Roberto Fazzi e l’approccio sistemico al governo dell’impresa: spunti di riflessione tra debito culturale, avanzamento dottrinale e spirito del tempo”, Sinergie, n. 72, pp. 207-255.
GRANDON E.E., PEARSON J.M. (2004), “Electronic commerce adoption: an empirical study of small and medium US business”, Information and Management, vol. 42, n. 1, pp. 197-216.
GREGORI G.L., CARDINALI S., TEMPERINI V. (2012), Traiettorie di sviluppo delle imprese calzaturiere nel nuovo contesto competitivo, Giappichelli, Torino.
HAIRUDDIN H., NOR LAILA MD. N., ARIFF MD AB M. (2012), “Why do microenterprise refuse to use information technology: a case of Batik microenterprises in Malaysia”, in Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, International Conference on Asia Pacific Business Innovation and Technology Management, vol. 57, pp. 494-502.
HOLLENSTEIN H. (2004), “Determinants of the adoption of information and communication technologies. An empirical analysis based on firm-level data for the Swiss business sector”, Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, vol. 15, n. 3, pp. 315-342.
IHLSTROM C., NILSSON M. (2003), “E-business adoption by SMEs - prerequisites and attitudes of SMEs in a Swedish network”, Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce, vol. 13, n. 3/4, pp. 211-223.
JOHNSTON D.A., WADE M., MCCLEAN R. (2007), “Does e-Business matter to SMEs? A comparison of the financial impacts of Internet business solutions on Europe and North American SMEs”, Journal of Small Business Management, vol. 45, n. 3, pp. 354-361.
JUTLA D., BODORIK P., DHALIWAL J. (2002), “Supporting the e-business readiness of small and medium-sized enterprises: approaches and metrics”, Internet Research: Electronic networking applications and policy, vol. 12, n. 2, pp. 139-164.
KHEMTHONG S., ROBERTS L.M. (2006), “Adoption of Internet and web technology for hotel marketing: a study of hotels in Thailand”, Journal of Business Systems, Governance and Ethics, vol. 1, n. 2, pp. 47-60.
KOWTHA N.R., CHOON T.W. (2001), “Determinants of website development: a study of electronic commerce in Singapore”, Information and Management, vol. 39, n. 3, pp. 227-242.
LERTWONGSATIEN C.,WONGPINUNWATANA N. (2003). “E-commerce adoption in Thailand: An empirical study of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).” Journal of Global Information Technology Management, vol. 6, n. 3, pp. 67-83.
LEVENBURG N.M. (2005), “Does size matters? Small firms’ use of e-business tools in the supply chain”, Electronic Markets, vol. 15, n. 2, pp. 94-105.
LEVY M., POWELL P., WORRALL L. (2005), “Strategic Intent and E-business in SMEs: enablers and inhibitors”, Information Resources Management Journal, vol. 18, n. 4, pp. 1-20.
LOVE P.E.D., IRANI Z., STANDING C., LIN C., BURN J.M. (2005), “The enigma of evaluation: benefits, costs and risks of IT in Australian small-medium-sized enterprises”, Information & Management, vol. 42, n. 1, pp. 947-964.
MOSTAFA R.H.A., WHEELER C., JONES M.V. (2005), “Entrepreneurial orientation, commitment to the Internet and export performance in small and medium sized exporting firms”, Journal of International Entrepreneurship, vol. 3, n. 4, pp. 291-302.
PARKER C.M., CASTLEMAN T. (2007), “New directions for research on SME-eBusiness: insights from an analysis of journal articles from 2003 to 2006”, Journal of Information Systems and Small Business, vol. 1, n. 1-2, pp. 21-40.
PASCUCCI F. (2012), “Il web, il marketing e la crisi: prime riflessioni su alcuni casi aziendali” in Franco M., Gregori G.L., Marcone M.R. (a cura di), Le opportunità oltre la crisi. Prospettive manageriali e strategie pubbliche dei Paesi dell’Europa del Sud, Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna, pp. 171-192.
PELTIER J.W., ZHAO Y., SCHIBROWSKU J.A. (2012), “Technology adoption by small business: an exploratory study of the interrelationships of owner and environmental factors”, International Small Business Journal, vol. 30, n. 4, pp. 406-431.
PONTIKAKIS D., LIN Y., DEMIRBAS D. (2006), “History matters in Greece: the adoption of Internet-enabled computers by small and medium sized enterprises”, Information Economics and Policy, vol. 18, n. 3, pp. 332-358.
POON S. (2000), “Business environment and Internet commerce benefits - Small business perspective”, European Journal of Information Systems, vol. 9, n. 2, pp. 72-81.
POON S., SWATMAN P.M.C. (1999), “An exploratory study of small business Internet commerce issues”, Information & Management, vol. 35, n. 1, pp. 9-18.
PREMKUMAR G., RAMAMURTHY D. (1995), “The role of interorganizational and organizational factors on the decision mode for adoption on interorganizational systems”, Decision Sciences, vol. 26, n. 3, p. 303-336.
PREMKUMAR, G. AND ROBERTS, M. (1999). “Adoption of New Information Technologies in Rural Small Businesses. Omega: The International Journal of Management Science, vol. 27, pp 467-484.
SILVESTRELLI S. (2008), International Marketing Mix, Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna.
TAN K.S., CHONG S.C., LIN B., EZE U.C. (2010), “Internet-based ICT adoption among SMES: demographic versus benefits, barriers, and adoption intention.”, Journal of Enterprise Information Management,vol. 23, n. 1, pp. 27-55.
THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP (2011), Fattore Internet. Come Internet sta trasformando l’economia italiana.
THONG J.Y.L., YAP C.S. (1995), “CEO characteristics, organizational characteristics and information technology adoption in small business”, Omega, vol. 23, n. 4, pp. 429-442.
VESCOVI T., IESEPPON G. (2002), “L’evoluzione di Internet come strumento di comunicazione e di marketing nelle imprese minori”, Micro & Macro Marketing, anno XI, n. 3, pp. 509-521.
WADE M., JOHNSTON D., MCCLEAN R. (2004), “Exploring the net impact of internet business solution adoption on SME performance”, International Journal of Electronic Business, vol. 2, n. 4, pp. 336-350.
WALCZUCH R., VAN BRAVEN G., LUNDGREN H. (2000), “Internet adoption barriers for small firms in the Netherlands”, European Management Journal, vol. 18, n. 5, pp. 561-572.
ARBORE A., ORDANINI A. (2006), “Broadband divide among SMEs. The role of size, location and outsourcing strategies”, International Small Business Journal, vol. 24, n. 1, pp. 83-99.
BAYO-MORIONES A., LERA-LOPEZ F. (2007), “A firm-level analysis of determinants of ICT adoption in Spain”, Technovation, vol. 27, n. 6-7, pp. 352-366.
BENGTSSON M., BOTER H., VANYUSHYN V. (2007), “Integrating the Internet and marketing operations. A study of antecedents in firms of different size”, International Small Business Journal, vol. 25, n. 1, pp. 27-48.
BORDONABA-JUSTE V., LUCIA-PALACIO L., POLO-REDONDO Y. (2012), “The influence of organizational factors on e-business use: analysis of firm size”, Marketing Intelligence & Planning, vol. 30, n. 2, pp. 212-229.
BRYNJOLFSSON E. (1993), “The productivity paradox of information technology”, Communications of the ACM, vol. 36, n. 12, pp. 66-77.
CALDEIRA M.M., WARD J.M. (2003), “Using resource-based theory to interpret the successful adoption and use of information systems and technology in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises”, European Journal of Information Systems, vol. 12, pp. 127-141.
CEDROLA E. (2009), “Internet per le piccole e medie imprese: potenzialità e stato dell’arte in Italia e in Europa”, Mercati e Competitività, n. 1, pp. 20-43.
CENTRO STUDI CNA (2012), Le imprese, nonostante tutto.
CHEUNG W.M., HUANG W. (2002), “An investigation of commercial usage of the World Wide Web: a picture from Singapore”, International Journal of Information Management, vol. 22, n. 5, pp. 377-388.
DANDRIDGE T., LEVENBURG N.M. (2000), “High-tech potential? An exploratory study of very small firms’ usage of the Internet”, International of Small Business Journal, vol. 18, n. 2, pp. 81-91.
DAVIS P.S., HARVESTON P.D. (2000), “Internationalization and organizational growth: the impact of Internet usage and technology involvement among entrepreneur-led family business”, Family Business Review, vol. XIII, n. 2, pp. 107-120.
DAVIS C.H., VLADICA F. (2006), “Use of Internet technologies and e-Business solutions: a structural model of sources of business value among Canadian micro-enterprises”, Proceedings of the 39th Hawaii International Conference on System Science, Jan. 04-07, Kauai, USA.
DHOLAKIA R.R., KSHETRI N. (2004), “Factors impacting the adoption of the Internet among SMEs”, Small Business Economics, vol. 23, n. ???, pp. 311-322.
DRENNAN J., MCCOLL-KENNEDY J.R. (2003), “The relationship between Internet use and perceived performance in retail and professional service firms”, Journal of Service Marketing, vol. 17, n. 3, pp. 295-311.
DREW S. (2003), “Strategic use of e-commerce by SMEs in the East of England”, European Management Journal, vol. 21, n. 1, pp. 79-88.
FILLIS I., JOHANNSON U., WAGNER B. (2004), “Factors impacting on e-business adoption and development in the smaller firm”, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 10, n. 3, pp. 178-191.
FILLIS I., WAGNER B. (2005) “E-business Development: An Exploratory Investigation of the Small Firm”, International Small Business Journal, vol. 23, n.6, pp. 604-634.
GOLINELLI G. (2009), “L’approccio sistemico-vitale: nuovi orizzonti di ricerca per il governo dell’impresa”, Sinergie, n. 79, pp. XI-XXIV.
GOLINELLI G., GATTI M. (2007), “Il pensiero di Roberto Fazzi e l’approccio sistemico al governo dell’impresa: spunti di riflessione tra debito culturale, avanzamento dottrinale e spirito del tempo”, Sinergie, n. 72, pp. 207-255.
GRANDON E.E., PEARSON J.M. (2004), “Electronic commerce adoption: an empirical study of small and medium US business”, Information and Management, vol. 42, n. 1, pp. 197-216.
GREGORI G.L., CARDINALI S., TEMPERINI V. (2012), Traiettorie di sviluppo delle imprese calzaturiere nel nuovo contesto competitivo, Giappichelli, Torino.
HAIRUDDIN H., NOR LAILA MD. N., ARIFF MD AB M. (2012), “Why do microenterprise refuse to use information technology: a case of Batik microenterprises in Malaysia”, in Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, International Conference on Asia Pacific Business Innovation and Technology Management, vol. 57, pp. 494-502.
HOLLENSTEIN H. (2004), “Determinants of the adoption of information and communication technologies. An empirical analysis based on firm-level data for the Swiss business sector”, Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, vol. 15, n. 3, pp. 315-342.
IHLSTROM C., NILSSON M. (2003), “E-business adoption by SMEs - prerequisites and attitudes of SMEs in a Swedish network”, Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce, vol. 13, n. 3/4, pp. 211-223.
JOHNSTON D.A., WADE M., MCCLEAN R. (2007), “Does e-Business matter to SMEs? A comparison of the financial impacts of Internet business solutions on Europe and North American SMEs”, Journal of Small Business Management, vol. 45, n. 3, pp. 354-361.
JUTLA D., BODORIK P., DHALIWAL J. (2002), “Supporting the e-business readiness of small and medium-sized enterprises: approaches and metrics”, Internet Research: Electronic networking applications and policy, vol. 12, n. 2, pp. 139-164.
KHEMTHONG S., ROBERTS L.M. (2006), “Adoption of Internet and web technology for hotel marketing: a study of hotels in Thailand”, Journal of Business Systems, Governance and Ethics, vol. 1, n. 2, pp. 47-60.
KOWTHA N.R., CHOON T.W. (2001), “Determinants of website development: a study of electronic commerce in Singapore”, Information and Management, vol. 39, n. 3, pp. 227-242.
LERTWONGSATIEN C.,WONGPINUNWATANA N. (2003). “E-commerce adoption in Thailand: An empirical study of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).” Journal of Global Information Technology Management, vol. 6, n. 3, pp. 67-83.
LEVENBURG N.M. (2005), “Does size matters? Small firms’ use of e-business tools in the supply chain”, Electronic Markets, vol. 15, n. 2, pp. 94-105.
LEVY M., POWELL P., WORRALL L. (2005), “Strategic Intent and E-business in SMEs: enablers and inhibitors”, Information Resources Management Journal, vol. 18, n. 4, pp. 1-20.
LOVE P.E.D., IRANI Z., STANDING C., LIN C., BURN J.M. (2005), “The enigma of evaluation: benefits, costs and risks of IT in Australian small-medium-sized enterprises”, Information & Management, vol. 42, n. 1, pp. 947-964.
MOSTAFA R.H.A., WHEELER C., JONES M.V. (2005), “Entrepreneurial orientation, commitment to the Internet and export performance in small and medium sized exporting firms”, Journal of International Entrepreneurship, vol. 3, n. 4, pp. 291-302.
PARKER C.M., CASTLEMAN T. (2007), “New directions for research on SME-eBusiness: insights from an analysis of journal articles from 2003 to 2006”, Journal of Information Systems and Small Business, vol. 1, n. 1-2, pp. 21-40.
PASCUCCI F. (2012), “Il web, il marketing e la crisi: prime riflessioni su alcuni casi aziendali” in Franco M., Gregori G.L., Marcone M.R. (a cura di), Le opportunità oltre la crisi. Prospettive manageriali e strategie pubbliche dei Paesi dell’Europa del Sud, Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna, pp. 171-192.
PELTIER J.W., ZHAO Y., SCHIBROWSKU J.A. (2012), “Technology adoption by small business: an exploratory study of the interrelationships of owner and environmental factors”, International Small Business Journal, vol. 30, n. 4, pp. 406-431.
PONTIKAKIS D., LIN Y., DEMIRBAS D. (2006), “History matters in Greece: the adoption of Internet-enabled computers by small and medium sized enterprises”, Information Economics and Policy, vol. 18, n. 3, pp. 332-358.
POON S. (2000), “Business environment and Internet commerce benefits - Small business perspective”, European Journal of Information Systems, vol. 9, n. 2, pp. 72-81.
POON S., SWATMAN P.M.C. (1999), “An exploratory study of small business Internet commerce issues”, Information & Management, vol. 35, n. 1, pp. 9-18.
PREMKUMAR G., RAMAMURTHY D. (1995), “The role of interorganizational and organizational factors on the decision mode for adoption on interorganizational systems”, Decision Sciences, vol. 26, n. 3, p. 303-336.
PREMKUMAR, G. AND ROBERTS, M. (1999). “Adoption of New Information Technologies in Rural Small Businesses. Omega: The International Journal of Management Science, vol. 27, pp 467-484.
SILVESTRELLI S. (2008), International Marketing Mix, Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna.
TAN K.S., CHONG S.C., LIN B., EZE U.C. (2010), “Internet-based ICT adoption among SMES: demographic versus benefits, barriers, and adoption intention.”, Journal of Enterprise Information Management,vol. 23, n. 1, pp. 27-55.
THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP (2011), Fattore Internet. Come Internet sta trasformando l’economia italiana.
THONG J.Y.L., YAP C.S. (1995), “CEO characteristics, organizational characteristics and information technology adoption in small business”, Omega, vol. 23, n. 4, pp. 429-442.
VESCOVI T., IESEPPON G. (2002), “L’evoluzione di Internet come strumento di comunicazione e di marketing nelle imprese minori”, Micro & Macro Marketing, anno XI, n. 3, pp. 509-521.
WADE M., JOHNSTON D., MCCLEAN R. (2004), “Exploring the net impact of internet business solution adoption on SME performance”, International Journal of Electronic Business, vol. 2, n. 4, pp. 336-350.
WALCZUCH R., VAN BRAVEN G., LUNDGREN H. (2000), “Internet adoption barriers for small firms in the Netherlands”, European Management Journal, vol. 18, n. 5, pp. 561-572.
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2014-08-29
