ABSTRACT
The purpose of this thesis is to examine the impact of the adoption of third party electronic commerce platforms on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) companies in Nigeria. This thesis describes the drivers for e-commerce adoption and investigates the barriers and benefits to the companies when starting the process of implementation. A qualitative research was performed and an adductive approach was used, where the research findings and the theoretical background were connected by going back and forward in the process of analysis. Questionnaires were distributed to registered merchants who have electronic store fronts in the three major e-commerce platforms.
This study shows that the adoption of e-commerce is extremely low compared to what obtains in Asia and Western nations. The decisions for e-commerce adoption are dependent on the knowledge of the owner /manager. Main benefits of e-commerce adoption are higher profit as a result of the expanded market share, improved internal efficiency and increased information exchange. The results suggest that companies value less than before the cost factor and consider the lack of knowledge as a main barrier.
The most significant benefits derived from third party electronic commerce adoption and usage were the huge direct marketing planning and implementation it lifts off the shoulders of the merchants, improved quality of information and communicating with e-commerce site partners. Regarding barriers, awareness and technical know-how appeared to be the biggest barrier.
Keywords: Electronic commerce, third-party e-commerce, storefront, retail business, TAM, Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU),
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
1.2 Statement of Problems
1.3 Research Objectives
1.4 Research Question
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Scope of Study
1.7 Significance of study
1.8 Limitation of study
1.9 Definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Research methodology
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of study
3.3 Sampling Design and Procedure
3.4 Data Collection Instrument
3.5 Administration of Data Collection Instrument
3.6 Methods of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Data Presentation and Analysis
4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Test of Hypothesis
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
Questionnaire