International Journal of Computing Academic Research (IJCAR) Discussion 2022
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Please develop a table of at least 25 articles Citation Research objectives Methodology Findings Conclusion/Future research Find answers to these questions 1- what are the important infrastructure needed in a company and a country to make e-commerce work 2- success factors for e-commerce adoption 3- e-commerce in airlines 4- code sharing 5- competiteve advantage 6- the personalization through e- commerce all those related chapter 2
International Journal of Computing Academic Research (IJCAR) Discussion 2022
Added on 2022-08-25
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International Journal of Computing Academic Research (IJCAR)
ISSN 2305-9184, Volume 6, Number 2 (April 2017), pp.12-19
© MEACSE Publications
http://www.meacse.org/ijcar
E-commerce Implementation: A Critical Review
Eman Altameem and Riyad Almakki
Department of Information Systems, Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, KSA
Abstract
Organizations around the world have become increasingly reliant on electronic commerce systems. Each of
the e-commerce systems are involved in various activities where they are gradually playing a major role .
However, the resistance and negligence of organizations to implement e-commerce effectively often impact
such leverage. The principles of this study are mainly to identify the key enablers that are common for a
successful implementation of e- commerce systems. From the literature, it was found that IT Infrastructure,
Enterprise Integration, Compatibility, Security, Convenient Website, IT Agility, Omni-Channel and
Innovation Adoption consider essential enablers. The findings of this study will be examined in a future
research.
Keywords: E-commerce, E-commerce Implementation, Saudi Arabia, Key Enablers.
1. Introduction
Today, information and communication technologies have become so rampant that the world‟s
economic prosperity depends on them. The widespread use of the internet has motivated entrepreneurs to
engage in online business thereby causing an e-commerce revolution. E-commerce has been supported by
various enablers including increased internet penetration around the world and the emergence of new
wireless network technologies such as 3G and LTE (communications technologies) that provide very fast
browsing speeds. According to Al-Otaibi and Bach [4], e-commerce has mostly benefited small and
medium companies because it eases marketing and advertising that would otherwise have cost them a
fortune.
Laudon and Traver [34] predict that the internet will continue being relevant even in the new
knowledge economy because it removes communication barriers that prevent seamless interaction among
companies for instance language, culture and geographical distance. With e-commerce, organizations can
easily communicate, share information, and do business rapidly and conveniently.
The term „„e-commerce” emerged only in latest years as businesses became aware of the potential role
of the internet as a powerful tool for conducting business. With e-commerce, local economies and
businesses can become global within a very short period of time. Even within the local context, the effect
of e-commerce is still felt as it enhances communication, information sharing and business transactions
among investors, managers, customers and other stakeholders [7].
Today, the discussion on utilizing e-commerce is one of the current and hot debates in the world of
trade and commerce. Due to indefinite advantages of e-commerce, interest of organizations to employ
this, is being increased, day-by-day. Private organizations in Saudi Arabia are taking the chance by
becoming part of these technology revolutions. Consequently, it's important to conduct a study that
highlight the importance of e-commerce and investigate the key success enablers for e-commerce
implementation.
International Journal of Computing Academic Research (IJCAR)
ISSN 2305-9184, Volume 6, Number 2 (April 2017), pp.12-19
© MEACSE Publications
http://www.meacse.org/ijcar
E-commerce Implementation: A Critical Review
Eman Altameem and Riyad Almakki
Department of Information Systems, Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, KSA
Abstract
Organizations around the world have become increasingly reliant on electronic commerce systems. Each of
the e-commerce systems are involved in various activities where they are gradually playing a major role .
However, the resistance and negligence of organizations to implement e-commerce effectively often impact
such leverage. The principles of this study are mainly to identify the key enablers that are common for a
successful implementation of e- commerce systems. From the literature, it was found that IT Infrastructure,
Enterprise Integration, Compatibility, Security, Convenient Website, IT Agility, Omni-Channel and
Innovation Adoption consider essential enablers. The findings of this study will be examined in a future
research.
Keywords: E-commerce, E-commerce Implementation, Saudi Arabia, Key Enablers.
1. Introduction
Today, information and communication technologies have become so rampant that the world‟s
economic prosperity depends on them. The widespread use of the internet has motivated entrepreneurs to
engage in online business thereby causing an e-commerce revolution. E-commerce has been supported by
various enablers including increased internet penetration around the world and the emergence of new
wireless network technologies such as 3G and LTE (communications technologies) that provide very fast
browsing speeds. According to Al-Otaibi and Bach [4], e-commerce has mostly benefited small and
medium companies because it eases marketing and advertising that would otherwise have cost them a
fortune.
Laudon and Traver [34] predict that the internet will continue being relevant even in the new
knowledge economy because it removes communication barriers that prevent seamless interaction among
companies for instance language, culture and geographical distance. With e-commerce, organizations can
easily communicate, share information, and do business rapidly and conveniently.
The term „„e-commerce” emerged only in latest years as businesses became aware of the potential role
of the internet as a powerful tool for conducting business. With e-commerce, local economies and
businesses can become global within a very short period of time. Even within the local context, the effect
of e-commerce is still felt as it enhances communication, information sharing and business transactions
among investors, managers, customers and other stakeholders [7].
Today, the discussion on utilizing e-commerce is one of the current and hot debates in the world of
trade and commerce. Due to indefinite advantages of e-commerce, interest of organizations to employ
this, is being increased, day-by-day. Private organizations in Saudi Arabia are taking the chance by
becoming part of these technology revolutions. Consequently, it's important to conduct a study that
highlight the importance of e-commerce and investigate the key success enablers for e-commerce
implementation.
International Journal of Computing Academic Research (IJCAR), Volume 6, Number 2, April 2017
13
2. Literature Review
The positive effects of e-commerce on retailing have made it a topic of interest within informatics
circles. Most organizations have been able to gain immensely, shortly after implementing e-commerce in
their traditional offline businesses. According to Kanchanopast [30], such enterprises have taken
advantage of the ability of e-commerce to link enterprises with customers and business partners.
Kanchanopast [30] defines e-commerce as the use of the internet to trade goods/services, and
information in a secure manner. Additionally, Cegielski and Rainer [45] define e-commerce as the
integration of business processes so that business transactions pertaining to products/services and
information can be conducted electronically using computer networks.
E-commerce has increased organizational efficiency and performance and this has caused numerous
operational and strategic benefits for organizations [46]. In this light, small and medium enterprises as
well as large multinationals can build their brand name without incurring hefty costs hence increase
profits [4].
Consequently, e-commerce has become a subject of interest among academicians, governments,
business and those in the manufacturing and services industries.
2.1 E-commerce in Saudi Arabia
The potential of e-commerce has made it a powerful tool in emerging economies. However, emerging
economies are characterized by unstable business environment and cultures and this inconsistency makes
it difficult to design an e-commerce implementation scheme that could work for all countries.
Nonetheless, for the case of Saudi Arabia, CITC [17] estimated the number of internet users that
increased from 41% in 2010 to 70.4% in 2016. The Saudi Arabia population is embracing e-commerce
services despite e-commerce being a relatively new wave in the country. Regardless, the pace at which e-
commerce implementation is progressing is worrying. Although there is a perception that e-commerce is
being preferred by businesses in Saudi Arabia, a study by CITC [16] indicates that only a few firms,
majorly in the manufacturing sector, have implemented e-commerce. Saudi Arabia‟s growth rate in the IT
sector portray the country as the best place in the Middle East region to invest in e-commerce activities
[43].
Saudi Arabia is also best suited for e-commerce investments because it stands out in different sectors
in the Gulf region [5]. The government of Saudi Arabia has also demonstrated its support for the
implementation of comprehensive e-commerce systems as evidenced by the establishment of an official
firm for holding online transactions as well as laws regarding e-commerce.
2.2 Key enablers of E-Commerce Implementation
This study aims at identifying the enablers of e-commerce hence act as a guideline for organizations
that wish to implement e-commerce systems. These enablers should reveal what‟s more important if one
desires to design and implement an effective e-commerce system.
2.2.1 Enterprise Integration
In the modern times, technology has become a key deciding enabler in making decisions regarding
internal and external business situations. Processes are highly interconnected and environmental enablers
are highly dependent on this interconnectivity of processes [1]. Enterprise integration involves the use of
technology to bring together software, hardware, information and other resources to establish
organizational processes that are impactful and resource driven [1].
As an academic discipline, enterprise integration involves itself with the study of cooperation and
communication within organizations. Indeed, it is a technical field of Enterprise Architecture centered on
13
2. Literature Review
The positive effects of e-commerce on retailing have made it a topic of interest within informatics
circles. Most organizations have been able to gain immensely, shortly after implementing e-commerce in
their traditional offline businesses. According to Kanchanopast [30], such enterprises have taken
advantage of the ability of e-commerce to link enterprises with customers and business partners.
Kanchanopast [30] defines e-commerce as the use of the internet to trade goods/services, and
information in a secure manner. Additionally, Cegielski and Rainer [45] define e-commerce as the
integration of business processes so that business transactions pertaining to products/services and
information can be conducted electronically using computer networks.
E-commerce has increased organizational efficiency and performance and this has caused numerous
operational and strategic benefits for organizations [46]. In this light, small and medium enterprises as
well as large multinationals can build their brand name without incurring hefty costs hence increase
profits [4].
Consequently, e-commerce has become a subject of interest among academicians, governments,
business and those in the manufacturing and services industries.
2.1 E-commerce in Saudi Arabia
The potential of e-commerce has made it a powerful tool in emerging economies. However, emerging
economies are characterized by unstable business environment and cultures and this inconsistency makes
it difficult to design an e-commerce implementation scheme that could work for all countries.
Nonetheless, for the case of Saudi Arabia, CITC [17] estimated the number of internet users that
increased from 41% in 2010 to 70.4% in 2016. The Saudi Arabia population is embracing e-commerce
services despite e-commerce being a relatively new wave in the country. Regardless, the pace at which e-
commerce implementation is progressing is worrying. Although there is a perception that e-commerce is
being preferred by businesses in Saudi Arabia, a study by CITC [16] indicates that only a few firms,
majorly in the manufacturing sector, have implemented e-commerce. Saudi Arabia‟s growth rate in the IT
sector portray the country as the best place in the Middle East region to invest in e-commerce activities
[43].
Saudi Arabia is also best suited for e-commerce investments because it stands out in different sectors
in the Gulf region [5]. The government of Saudi Arabia has also demonstrated its support for the
implementation of comprehensive e-commerce systems as evidenced by the establishment of an official
firm for holding online transactions as well as laws regarding e-commerce.
2.2 Key enablers of E-Commerce Implementation
This study aims at identifying the enablers of e-commerce hence act as a guideline for organizations
that wish to implement e-commerce systems. These enablers should reveal what‟s more important if one
desires to design and implement an effective e-commerce system.
2.2.1 Enterprise Integration
In the modern times, technology has become a key deciding enabler in making decisions regarding
internal and external business situations. Processes are highly interconnected and environmental enablers
are highly dependent on this interconnectivity of processes [1]. Enterprise integration involves the use of
technology to bring together software, hardware, information and other resources to establish
organizational processes that are impactful and resource driven [1].
As an academic discipline, enterprise integration involves itself with the study of cooperation and
communication within organizations. Indeed, it is a technical field of Enterprise Architecture centered on
International Journal of Computing Academic Research (IJCAR), Volume 6, Number 2, April 2017
14
topics such as distributed computer networks, exchange of product data, interchange of electronic data
and system interconnection [20].
As Sealey [51] states, e-commerce is impossible without the integration of processes undertaken by
the customer, the business and the relevant partners. There ought to be a platform for the integration of
the virtual roles of each stakeholder in the business transaction. Apart from creating customer loyalty,
enterprise integration allows e-commerce platforms to manage huge volumes of data from different
applications and systems. Manual handling of such data could be very challenging if not impossible. In
support of enterprise integration, Gallegos [23] confirms that e-commerce companies that allow different
applications to manage different parts of the product ordering and fulfillment process, and then integrate
those applications, end up realizing better profit margins especially due to reduced delivery time.
Nonetheless, given the rate at which the business environment is changing, business challenges will
evolve and this will demand more advanced approaches to enterprise integration.
2.2.2 IT Infrastructure
Since time immemorial, IT infrastructure has been recognized as a key source of competitive
advantage hence an essential determinant of success rate for organizations. IT infrastructure is necessary
for supporting business operations. Some of the elements that fall under IT infrastructure include IT
facilities, equipment, applications and processes that support the business‟s functional areas. Broadbent et
al. [12] defined IT infrastructure as, “the base foundation of the IT portfolio, which is shared throughout
the firm in the form of reliable services, and is usually coordinated by the IS group”.
However, in the context of e-commerce, IT infrastructure is not just about having the right
technological machinery. Alsmadi et al. [6] have set light on the importance of infrastructure in e-
commerce and have presented the general infrastructural requirements for successful e-commerce
transactions.
Robertson and Sribar [47] state that the technologies that fail to support business operations optimally
could cause losses for the business. On the other hand, an investment in IT infrastructure that aligns
perfectly with the business operations contributes significantly to improvement in the quality of business
processes [32]. In light of the discussion above, it is clear that IT infrastructure can be a major source of
competitive advantage.
For that, the focus on infrastructure is obviously important to to avoid the wastage of time, money and
effort that would otherwise be incurred during frequent re-establishment of the IT infrastructure due to
changes in market dynamics or emergence of new developments [55], [50].
2.2.3 Security
Security is an area which is growing in significance, as more business applications are being
automated and more sensitive information is being stored. Whitman and Mattord [61] define security as a
state of being safe from danger or entities that could intentionally do harm. A system is termed secure
provided it guards the information within it from unauthorized access or modification [14].
According to Johnson and Goetz [27], security is a key issue not only in the design of new
products/services but also in the continued relevance of the existing products. Many scholars agree on the
rising importance of information system security [35], [22].
However, security constraints have not prevented people from engaging in online shopping.
According to a report by Hosting Facts [26], over 40% of smartphones users engaged themselves with
online shopping in 2016. It is worth noting that although security has not yet forced smartphone users to
avoid online shopping, the situation could change in the future if appropriate measures are not taken. For
an e-commerce venture to succeed, all transactions must be secure [30], [39]. Guaranteeing security and
privacy of an e-commerce platform user is positive related to the growth of that particular platform [37],
[30], [9], [11].
14
topics such as distributed computer networks, exchange of product data, interchange of electronic data
and system interconnection [20].
As Sealey [51] states, e-commerce is impossible without the integration of processes undertaken by
the customer, the business and the relevant partners. There ought to be a platform for the integration of
the virtual roles of each stakeholder in the business transaction. Apart from creating customer loyalty,
enterprise integration allows e-commerce platforms to manage huge volumes of data from different
applications and systems. Manual handling of such data could be very challenging if not impossible. In
support of enterprise integration, Gallegos [23] confirms that e-commerce companies that allow different
applications to manage different parts of the product ordering and fulfillment process, and then integrate
those applications, end up realizing better profit margins especially due to reduced delivery time.
Nonetheless, given the rate at which the business environment is changing, business challenges will
evolve and this will demand more advanced approaches to enterprise integration.
2.2.2 IT Infrastructure
Since time immemorial, IT infrastructure has been recognized as a key source of competitive
advantage hence an essential determinant of success rate for organizations. IT infrastructure is necessary
for supporting business operations. Some of the elements that fall under IT infrastructure include IT
facilities, equipment, applications and processes that support the business‟s functional areas. Broadbent et
al. [12] defined IT infrastructure as, “the base foundation of the IT portfolio, which is shared throughout
the firm in the form of reliable services, and is usually coordinated by the IS group”.
However, in the context of e-commerce, IT infrastructure is not just about having the right
technological machinery. Alsmadi et al. [6] have set light on the importance of infrastructure in e-
commerce and have presented the general infrastructural requirements for successful e-commerce
transactions.
Robertson and Sribar [47] state that the technologies that fail to support business operations optimally
could cause losses for the business. On the other hand, an investment in IT infrastructure that aligns
perfectly with the business operations contributes significantly to improvement in the quality of business
processes [32]. In light of the discussion above, it is clear that IT infrastructure can be a major source of
competitive advantage.
For that, the focus on infrastructure is obviously important to to avoid the wastage of time, money and
effort that would otherwise be incurred during frequent re-establishment of the IT infrastructure due to
changes in market dynamics or emergence of new developments [55], [50].
2.2.3 Security
Security is an area which is growing in significance, as more business applications are being
automated and more sensitive information is being stored. Whitman and Mattord [61] define security as a
state of being safe from danger or entities that could intentionally do harm. A system is termed secure
provided it guards the information within it from unauthorized access or modification [14].
According to Johnson and Goetz [27], security is a key issue not only in the design of new
products/services but also in the continued relevance of the existing products. Many scholars agree on the
rising importance of information system security [35], [22].
However, security constraints have not prevented people from engaging in online shopping.
According to a report by Hosting Facts [26], over 40% of smartphones users engaged themselves with
online shopping in 2016. It is worth noting that although security has not yet forced smartphone users to
avoid online shopping, the situation could change in the future if appropriate measures are not taken. For
an e-commerce venture to succeed, all transactions must be secure [30], [39]. Guaranteeing security and
privacy of an e-commerce platform user is positive related to the growth of that particular platform [37],
[30], [9], [11].
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