Ecommerce
International Journal of E-Adoption, 4(1), 1-10, January-March 2012 1
Factors Affecting the E-Commerce Adoption by Small Hotels:
A Comparative Case Study
Ali Acılar, Bilecik University, Turkey Çağlar Karamaşa, Bilecik University, Turkey
ABSTRACT
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are spreading rapidly and affecting almost all aspects of daily life, including businesses. The tourism and hospitality industry have been largely affected by advancements in ICTs. ICTs offer both opportunities and challenges for SMEs in the tourism and hospitality industry. Although large companies have been quick to adopt ICTs with rich resources, SMEs have been slow to adopt these technologies in general for various reasons, especially in developing countries. In this article, the authors explore the factors affecting the adoption of e-commerce by small hotels. To attain this purpose, a comparative case study was conducted in two small hotels, and their use of the Internet and the Web was explored. Conclusions derived from this study provide a meaningful contribution to the understanding of e-commerce adoption in small businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry. Keywords: E-Commerce, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Internet, Small Hotels, Tourism and Hospitality Industry
1. INTRODUCTION
Internet use has grown and spread rapidly around the world during the last decade. ICTs are increasingly becoming necessary in almost all aspects of life. Today, computers and the Internet have become an indispensable part of the modern society. It is estimated that there are approximately 2 billion (28.7% of the world’s population) Internet users in the world. From 2000 to 2010, the number of Internet users
DOI: 10.4018/jea.2012010101
around the world increased by 444.8% (Internet World Stats, 2010) and Internet use in all areas of life has become more common over time. The use of Internet for commercial purposes has also greatly increased.
Factors Affecting the E-Commerce Adoption by Small Hotels:
A Comparative Case Study
Ali Acılar, Bilecik University, Turkey Çağlar Karamaşa, Bilecik University, Turkey
ABSTRACT
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are spreading rapidly and affecting almost all aspects of daily life, including businesses. The tourism and hospitality industry have been largely affected by advancements in ICTs. ICTs offer both opportunities and challenges for SMEs in the tourism and hospitality industry. Although large companies have been quick to adopt ICTs with rich resources, SMEs have been slow to adopt these technologies in general for various reasons, especially in developing countries. In this article, the authors explore the factors affecting the adoption of e-commerce by small hotels. To attain this purpose, a comparative case study was conducted in two small hotels, and their use of the Internet and the Web was explored. Conclusions derived from this study provide a meaningful contribution to the understanding of e-commerce adoption in small businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry. Keywords: E-Commerce, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Internet, Small Hotels, Tourism and Hospitality Industry
1. INTRODUCTION
Internet use has grown and spread rapidly around the world during the last decade. ICTs are increasingly becoming necessary in almost all aspects of life. Today, computers and the Internet have become an indispensable part of the modern society. It is estimated that there are approximately 2 billion (28.7% of the world’s population) Internet users in the world. From 2000 to 2010, the number of Internet users
DOI: 10.4018/jea.2012010101
around the world increased by 444.8% (Internet World Stats, 2010) and Internet use in all areas of life has become more common over time. The use of Internet for commercial purposes has also greatly increased.