An empirical assessment of the antecedents of electronic-business implementation and the resulting organizational performance

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically test a unified framework that captures the antecedents of e-business implementation, that is; organizational factors which is decomposed into organizational capabilities (training availability, technical expertise, knowledge level), knowledge management capabilities (knowledge acquisition, application, and sharing), adhocracy culture, and top management support, e-business implementation, and organizational performance (efficiency, sales performance, customer satisfaction, relationship development).

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a survey of 258 top managers in Saudi Arabian enterprises were collected to empirically test the proposed research model. Additionally, the statistical techniques employed included a confirmatory factor analysis to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement model, and structural equation modeling using AMOS is utilized to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that organizational factors influence e-business implementation. Moreover, e-business implementation affects organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study did not investigate all organizational factors and knowledge management processes. Future research could assess the influence of additional factors such as technology and environment contexts on e-business implementation.

Practical implications

Owners/managers considering e-business implementation would be best to focus on internal (organizational) factors and their interaction within and beyond the organization, rather than focussing exclusively on technological considerations.

Originality/value

This study is significant for at least two reasons: it determines the key antecedents to successful business implementation based on organizational factors and it helps to understand the effects of e-business implementation on organizational performance.

Citation

Migdadi, M.M., Abu Zaid, M.K.S., Al-Hujran, O.S. and Aloudat, A.M. (2016), "An empirical assessment of the antecedents of electronic-business implementation and the resulting organizational performance", Internet Research, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 661-688. https://doi.org/10.1108/IntR-08-2014-0203