Exploring the perceptions of inhibitors and drivers of e-business progression among SMEs at different stages of e-business maturity

It is imperative for an organisation to identify potential drivers and inhibitors of e-business in order to minimise the risk and maximise the benefits derived from its e-business initiative. Although the issues of drivers and inhibitors of e-business/e-commerce have been the subject of intensive discussions elsewhere, the literature bears no indication of any attempt to look into the distinction of the drivers and inhibitors of e-business perceived by organisations at different level of e-business maturity. Hence, in this paper, it is our intention to explore this issue further. Using a stage model we developed to distinguish organisational maturity in approaching their e-business initiatives, we found that there are differences in emphasis on how organisations at different level of maturity. Arguably, by realising and understanding which issues need to be prioritised, organisation would be better equipped in anticipating any difficulties in progressing through with their e-business initiatives.