This study empirically examines determinants of E-commerce adoption by Malaysian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. Research model for this study was drawn on the literature on information and communication technology, Information system, and electronic data interchange. This study tested seven hypotheses on factors that influence e-commerce adoption with empirical data from a sample of 200 SMEs in Malaysia. The findings show that relative advantage, compatibility, organizational readiness, manager's characteristics, and security have significant impact on e-commerce adoption. The study provides a clear understanding of manager's perception about e-commerce adoption in their businesses. This study is important in a global context, as SMEs in Malaysia are going for exporting their product in the global marketplace. Santrauka Šiame straipsnyje pristatomas empirinis tyrimas, kuriame analizuojamas e.-komercijos principų taikymas Malaizijos smulkiojo ir vidutinio verslo įmonėse. Tyrimo modelis pristatytas šiame straipsnyje, buvo sudarytas remiantis mokslinės literatūros analize. Autoriai iškėlė 7 hipotezes, kurias vėliau bandė pagrįsti. Iškeltoms hipotezėms patvirtinti (arba paneigti) buvo atliekamas tyrimas. Tyrime dalyvavo 200 smulkiojo ir vidutinio verslo įmonių, taikančių savo veikloje e.-komercijos principus. Pristatyto tyrimo metu buvo nustatyta ir tai, kad sėkmingam e-komercijos principų taikymui didelę reikšmę turi ne tik technologiniai sprendimai, bet ir žmogiškasis veiksnys. Autoriai pažymi, kad šis tyrimas yra labai svarbus Malaizijoje įsikūrusioms smulkiojo ir vidutinio verslo įmonėms, nes jame buvo vertinamos tarptautinio verslo perspektyvos globalizacijos kontekste.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of government assistance programmes on internationalization of SMEs from an Asian developing nation. Design/methodology/approach – Primary data from a sample of 203 SMEs in three export-oriented industries in Bangladesh were analyzed using structural equations model to examine both direct and indirect causal effects of government assistance on their internationalization. Findings – Results suggest that the usage of market development-related government assistance significantly influence internationalization directly as well as indirectly via other determinants, whereas finance- and guarantee-related assistance has only indirect effect. Practical implications – Government export assistance programmes play an important role in the SMEs' internationalization process by contributing to a number of firm- and management-related factors that determine international marketing performance of a firm. The study provides a guideline for SME managers as to how they can benefit from both categories of export assistance programmes in improving their positive attitudes towards the export market environment, building their knowledge and enhancing commitment to exporting for better success in their international operations. Originality/value – The importance of export assistance programmes is well recognized in the literature but its causal effect on internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is low. The paper tries to fill this gap by reporting the results of an empirical study examining effects of government assistance programmes on internationalization of SMEs from an Asian developing nation, where there is a gross dearth of research.

Purpose: The impact of export promotion programs (EPPs) on firm export performance (FEP) has received little attention in the export literature. This paper attempts to investigate the direct and indirect impact of EPPs on FEP in a comprehensive model. The indirect effects of EPPs on FEP have been conceptualized through a set of firm‐ and management‐related antecedents for empirical testing.Design/methodology/approach: Primary data were collected through mail survey from a sample of 203 exporting firms in three export‐oriented industries in a developing country. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques to test the hypothesized relationships.Findings: Results suggest that in addition to its direct impact on the FEP, the usage of EPPs has direct impact on firm's export knowledge, and managers’ perception that in turn influence commitment to export, export strategy and FEP.Research limitations/implications: Findings provide empirical support to theorize indirect effect of the usage of EPPs on FEP. Findings also provide guidelines for managers how to benefit from EPPs to gain export knowledge toward increasing commitment for successful exporting. Policy makers can also benefit from the study finding in designing policy programs. Readers should use caution in generalizing the findings unless verified in other developed and developing country contexts.Originality value: The theoretical framework developed for the study is original and drawn on the extant literature. The empirical testing of the theoretical model in a developing country context is a significant contribution to fill the much needed gap in the literature toward generalizing similar findings.