CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
Information services and products today constitute one of the world’s largest economic sectors. Computers and the networks that connect them have become a dominant force in virtually all aspects of society throughout the industrialized world. Institutions and individuals alike are flocking to the Internet - particularly to the World Wide Web - in record numbers, making it the fastest-growing medium in human history (Baptista, 2000). First made available to the public in 1992, the Web is used today by 205 countries and regions and its user number is expanding at approximately 30 percent per year (OECD, 2002).
Technological improvement as well as the declining prices for the access of this technology has led to the explosive growth of Internet during the last few years. The electronic commerce (e-commerce), as one of the most important applications of the Internet technology, is undoubtedly bringing countries together to create a global network economy with expectation of reducing transition costs, increasing market transparency and making business more efficient.
However, e-commerce is unevenly diffused in different countries. New growth theory (Ohmae (1996); Solomon & Bamossy (2002) insists that national characteristics such as industry structure, information infrastructure, financial systems and national policies, influence technology diffusion and innovation outcomes unevenly. E-commerce via Internet is said to have no national borders, however, individuals and companies in different countries response differently to it. Hence, understanding adoption drivers and inhibitors of e-commerce diffusion is becoming increasingly important. [...]
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1. Introduction
- Chapter 2. Literature Review
- A Framework for Review
- Justification of Framework
- Research Rationales
- National Environments
- Driving factors for Diffusion of Electronic Commerce
- Inhibitors for Diffusion of Electronic Commerce
- National Policies
- Key Lessons from the Literature Review
- Chapter 3. Research Methodology
- Chapter 4. Presentation of Results
- Practical Implications of Electronic Commerce in Germany
- National Environment
- National Policies
- Questionnaires
- Practical Implications of Electronic Commerce in Germany
- Chapter 5. Discussion
- Chapter 6. Findings
- Chapter 7. Personal Reflections
Objectives and Key Themes
This report aims to empirically assess the diffusion and impact of electronic commerce (e-commerce) in Germany, focusing on identifying the key drivers and inhibitors of its adoption. It investigates the role of national characteristics, including industry structure, information infrastructure, financial systems, and national policies, in shaping e-commerce adoption.
- Drivers and inhibitors of e-commerce diffusion in Germany
- The influence of national characteristics on e-commerce adoption
- Analysis of Germany's national environment and policies related to e-commerce
- Empirical investigation of e-commerce adoption factors through questionnaires and data analysis
- Practical implications of the findings for businesses and policymakers
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the burgeoning field of electronic commerce (e-commerce) and its rapid expansion fueled by technological advancements and decreasing access costs. It highlights the uneven diffusion of e-commerce across nations, emphasizing the need to understand the factors driving and inhibiting its adoption. The chapter establishes the research objectives and limitations, setting the stage for the subsequent investigation into the German context. The explosive growth of the internet and its impact on the global economy are emphasized, alongside the inherent disparities in e-commerce adoption globally.
Chapter 2. Literature Review: This chapter provides a comprehensive review of existing literature, utilizing a structured framework to examine research rationales, national environments (driving and inhibiting factors), and national policies impacting e-commerce diffusion. It synthesizes various theoretical perspectives and empirical findings to identify key lessons, ultimately informing the methodology and direction of the research. The framework provides a systematic approach to understanding the complex interplay of factors influencing e-commerce growth.
Chapter 3. Research Methodology: This chapter details the research philosophy, approach, strategy, methods, and conduct employed in the study. It outlines the data analysis techniques and addresses the validity and reliability of the research design. This section justifies the chosen methods and ensures the rigor of the study. A detailed description of data collection and analysis techniques are elaborated upon.
Chapter 4. Presentation of Results: This chapter presents the findings of the research, focusing on the practical implications of e-commerce in Germany. It examines aspects of the national environment (demographics, human resources, information infrastructure, and economy), national policies, and the results from the questionnaires administered. Detailed data analysis and interpretation are provided, showcasing the findings related to e-commerce adoption in the German market. This chapter forms the core empirical evidence of the report.
Chapter 5. Discussion: This chapter analyzes the presented results and explores their significance, drawing connections between the various findings and offering potential explanations for observed patterns. It contextualizes the findings within the broader literature on e-commerce diffusion. The discussion section offers valuable insight by analyzing the data collected and integrating it with the larger context of existing research.
Chapter 6. Findings: This chapter presents the key findings of the research, synthesizing the results from various analytical approaches and relating them back to the initial research objectives. The findings are clearly articulated and interpreted, providing a concise summary of the study’s conclusions. This chapter provides a summary of the significant discoveries and their implications.
Keywords
Electronic commerce, e-commerce diffusion, Germany, national environment, national policies, technology adoption, drivers, inhibitors, empirical research, questionnaires, data analysis, information infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Electronic Commerce in Germany
What is the main topic of this report?
This report empirically assesses the diffusion and impact of electronic commerce (e-commerce) in Germany. It focuses on identifying the key drivers and inhibitors of e-commerce adoption in the German market, investigating the role of national characteristics and policies.
What are the key themes explored in the report?
The report explores drivers and inhibitors of e-commerce diffusion in Germany, the influence of national characteristics (industry structure, information infrastructure, financial systems) on e-commerce adoption, Germany's national environment and policies related to e-commerce, and the practical implications of the findings for businesses and policymakers.
What is the structure of the report?
The report follows a standard academic structure. It includes an introduction, a literature review, a methodology section, a presentation of results, a discussion of the findings, a conclusion summarizing the key findings, and personal reflections. Each chapter is summarized within the provided preview.
What methodology was used in the research?
The report details the research philosophy, approach, strategy, and methods used. It outlines the data analysis techniques used and addresses the validity and reliability of the research design. The methodology section includes a detailed description of data collection and analysis techniques, including the use of questionnaires.
What kind of data was collected and analyzed?
The research involved data analysis of various aspects including Germany's national environment (demographics, human resources, information infrastructure, and economy), national policies, and results from administered questionnaires.
What are the key findings of the report (as previewed)?
The preview does not provide specific numerical results but highlights that the report analyzes the practical implications of e-commerce in Germany, focusing on the national environment, national policies, and data from questionnaires. The key findings are fully presented in Chapter 6.
What are the practical implications of the research?
The research aims to provide practical implications for businesses and policymakers regarding e-commerce adoption in Germany. The findings offer insights into factors influencing e-commerce success and potential challenges to overcome.
What is the target audience of this report?
The target audience is likely academics, researchers, businesses operating in or interested in the German market, and policymakers involved in the development of e-commerce strategies.
Where can I find the full report?
The provided text is a preview; the full report is not included here. Additional information on accessing the full report would need to be obtained from the publishing company.
What are the keywords associated with this report?
Keywords include: Electronic commerce, e-commerce diffusion, Germany, national environment, national policies, technology adoption, drivers, inhibitors, empirical research, questionnaires, data analysis, information infrastructure.
- Citar trabajo
- Yanhui Zhang (Autor), 2004, Drivers and Inhibitors for Diffusion of Electronic Commerce with Reference to Germany, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/38691
