An Empirical study on the Stage of E-commerce Adoption in Cameroons' SME Sector. An Approach based on Theories and Frameworks of E-commerce adoption in Developing Countries

摘要

Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce) has been very crucial in transforming many economies in the world today, as it has a significant potential to add a sustained competitive advantage for businesses. Yet, difficulties arises in adopting information and communication technologies (ICT) and aligning them with strategic development that emerges within the case of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This paper identifies the stage of e-commerce adoption in the SME sector in Cameroon and looks at what can be done to increase the level e-commerce adoption amongst SMEs in Cameroon. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to establish which e-commerce adoption level the SMEs in Cameroon are at present. Three hundred questionnaires were self administered with 129 valid questionnaires returned, giving a valid response rate of 43%. This research findings showed that only about 1.6% of SMEs in Cameroon have attained the interactive e-commerce stage. The research findings call for immediate action by the government to develop an e-commerce perspective that addresses the barriers to e-commerce adoption by the SMEs in Cameroon and ICT solution providers should provide innovative e-commerce solutions that comprises of a roadmap for how the SMEs can advance after initial e-commerce adoption.