About the Book
The change from old to new technologies has fundamentally changed the relationship between the consumer and the firm. This book is at the frontier of behavioural research into how these new commercial realities are borne out in practice, examining the adoption of e-commerce by small firms and the transactional phenomenon that entails access to the Internet.
In analyzing the process of e-commerce adoption and why e-commerce actors behave as they do, its coverage includes the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) by small firms; the use of ICT applications to support marketing and sales transactions; and the factors that influence consumers' online purchasing decisions.
Table of Contents:
Contents: Introduction, Colin Gray and Salvatore Zappalà. Part I Impact of e-Commerce on Small Firms: Stage models of ICT adoption in small firms, Colin Gray; Social influence and diffusion of innovations in education, Carlo Tomasetto and Felice Carugati; Climate for innovation, attitudes to internet and ICT adoption in small firms, Salvatore Zappalà and Guido Sarchielli; Changing leadership cultures in e-commerce service industry, Mikko Ruohonen; e-business and small firms in London, Jane Tebbutt; The value of internet forums to small rural businesses, Robert Mochrie, Laura Galloway and David Deakins; e-business and the work organization in craft enterprises, Sabine Wendt, Tatjana Grek and Lothar Lissner. Part II Internet Marketing and Website Effectiveness: Internet marketing and the Portuguese marketplace, Rute Xavier and Francisco Costa Pereira; e-marketing adoption in organizations, Abdel Monim Shaltoni; World wide markets and the World Wide Web: problems and possibilities for small businesses, Heather Fulford; Website usability: cognitive versus activity theory approaches, Elvis Mazzoni. Part III Impact of e-Commerce on Consumers: Consumption on the net, Laura Sartori; Affective states, purchase intention and perceived risk in online shopping, Elfriede Penz and Erich M. Kirchler; Risk perception in online shopping, Marco G. Mariani and Salvatore Zappalà; The fun side of the internet, Daniele Scarpi; Risk Perception as a motivational barrier for online purchasing, Annamaria Silvana de Rosa, Elena Bocci and Sara Saurini; Conclusions: common themes and future perspectives, Salvatore Zappalà and Colin Gray; Index.
About the Author :
Professor Salvatore Zappala is based at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Bologna, Italy, where he teaches Work and Organizational Psychology. Colin Gray is Professor of Enterprise Development at the Open University Business School, UK. He is also President of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Trustee of the Small Enterprise Research Team. Colin Gray, Salvatore Zappala, Carlo Tomasetto, Felice Carugati, Guido Sarchielli, Mikko Ruohonen, Jane Tebbutt,, Robert Mochrie, Laura Galloway, David Deakins, Sabine Wendt, Tatjana Grek, Lothar Lissner, Rute Xavier, Francisco Costa Pereira, Abdel Monim Shaltoni, Heather Fulford, Elvis Mazzoni, Laura Sartori, Elfriede Penz, Erich M. Kirchler, Marco G. Mariani, Daniele Scarpi, Annamaria Silvana de Rosa, Elena Bocci, Sara Saurini.
Review :
'This book is particularly timely as it gives us a picture of e-commerce at a time when the technical infrastructure is in place but there is a lag in adoption due to business capacity, the development of marketing innovations and the customary use of e-commerce by consumers. The book offers insights into potential solutions for the next generation of e-commerce. An excellent resource for academics and students interested in current issues in e-commerce.' Peter Lunt, Brunel University, UK 'E-commerce is profoundly changing the way we all do business. This book is packed with ideas, facts and bold propositions that offer fascinating insights to help firms, consumers and researchers make sense of this e-revolution.' Professor Michael West, Aston University, UK '...an interesting read for anyone who is concerned with e-business systems.' The Journal of Entrepreneurship
