Document Type

Journal Article

Abstract

Despite the proclaimed advantages of small business strategic alliances, little research has been carried out to determine whether these structures "cushion" the disadvantages arising from e-commerce adoption for member businesses. There has also been a lack of research into comparing e-commerce use in those small businesses that are members of a strategic alliance to those that have opted to remain outside such arrangements. This article aims to correct the situation by presenting the findings of a study of 177 regional small businesses in Sweden and Australia that investigated the impact of strategic alliance membership on disadvantages associated with e-commerce adoption. The results of the study indicate that e-commerce disadvantages are often dissipated through a strategic-alliance structure more easily than through a single self-directed unit. However, the cushioning effects of a strategic alliance membership are not uniform and they differ depending on organisational factors such as the size of the business, the market focus, and the business sector. Copyright.

RIS ID

13130

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