{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,12]],"date-time":"2026-06-12T17:54:58Z","timestamp":1781286898704,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":60,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2009,3,13]],"date-time":"2009-03-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1236902400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/site-policies"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2009,3,13]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Purpose<\/jats:title><jats:p>The purpose of this paper is to investigate the innovative characteristics, benefits, and barriers influencing internet\u2010based information and communications technology (ICT) adoption among the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title><jats:p>A questionnaire\u2010based survey was used to collect data from 406 managers or owners of SMEs in the southern region of Malaysia.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>The results suggest that internet\u2010based ICT adoption provides a low cost yet effective communication tool for customers. However, security continues to be a major barrier. Finding on cost as a barrier is mixed. The inferential statistics reveal that relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, observability, and security are significant factors influencing internet\u2010based ICT adoption.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Research limitations\/implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The study focuses only on the SMEs in the southern region of Malaysia.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Practical implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The findings offer valuable insights to policy makers in general and to the SMEs in particular on the significance of the measured characteristics and the associated benefits and barriers of internet\u2010based ICT adoption.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>The study is perhaps one of the first to comprehensively address internet\u2010based ICT adoption among the SMEs through the use of a wide range of variables.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/02635570910930118","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2009,3,7]],"date-time":"2009-03-07T07:02:34Z","timestamp":1236409354000},"page":"224-244","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":227,"title":["Internet\u2010based ICT adoption: evidence from Malaysian SMEs"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"109","author":[{"given":"Khong","family":"Sin Tan","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Siong","family":"Choy Chong","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Binshan","family":"Lin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Uchenna","family":"Cyril Eze","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b1","unstructured":"Abouzeedan, A. and Busler, M. (2002), \u201cInformation technology (IT) impact on performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)\u201d, Proceedings of the RENT XVI, Research in Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Barcelona, Spain."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Adham, K.A. and Ahmad, M. (2005), \u201cAdoption of web site and e\u2010commerce technology among Malaysian public companies\u201d, Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 105 No. 9, pp. 1172\u201087.","DOI":"10.1108\/02635570510633248"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ajzen, I. (1991), \u201cThe theory of planned behavior\u201d, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Vol. 50, pp. 179\u2010211.","DOI":"10.1016\/0749-5978(91)90020-T"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Aljitri, H.A., Pons, A. and Collins, D. (2003), \u201cGlobal e\u2010commerce: a framework for understanding and overcoming the trust barrier\u201d, Information Management, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 130\u20108.","DOI":"10.1108\/09685220310480417"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b5","unstructured":"Anis, M.N. (2007), \u201cSMEs among main pirated software users\u201d, The Star Online, April 17."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b6","unstructured":"Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (1999), SME Electronic Commerce Study, APEC Publishing, Singapore."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b7","unstructured":"Beal, T. (2001), \u201cGovernment promotion and facilitation of ICT use by SMEs: APEC and New Zealand\u201d, Asia Small Business Review, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 85\u2010109."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b8","unstructured":"Beale, M.W. (1999), \u201cConsumer concern over e\u2010commerce security\u201d, E\u2010Commerce Times, available at: www.ecommercetimes.com\/story\/1981.html."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Benham, H.C. and Raymond, B.C. (1996), \u201cInformation technology adoption: evidence from a voice mail introduction\u201d, ACM SIGCPR Computer Personnel, Vol. 7 No. 1, pp. 3\u201025.","DOI":"10.1145\/227005.227006"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bhimani, A. (1996), \u201cSecuring the commercial internet\u201d, Communications of the ACM, Vol. 39 No. 6, pp. 29\u201035.","DOI":"10.1145\/228503.228509"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b11","unstructured":"Bird, J. (1997), \u201cE\u2010commerce is safety\u201d, Management Today, December, pp. 54\u20107."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Brancheau, J.C. and Wetherbe, J.C. (1990), \u201cThe adoption of spreadsheet software: testing innovation diffusion theory in the context of end\u2010user computing\u201d, Information Systems Research, Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 115\u201043.","DOI":"10.1287\/isre.1.2.115"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chapman, P., James\u2010Moore, M., Szczygiel, M. and Thompson, D. (2000), \u201cBuilding internet capabilities in SMEs\u201d, Logistics Information Management, Vol. 13 No. 6, pp. 353\u201060.","DOI":"10.1108\/09576050010355662"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b14","unstructured":"Chatterjee, S., Hadi, A.S. and Price, B. (2000), Regression Analysis by Example, Wiley, New York, NY."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b15","unstructured":"Child, D. (1970), Essentials of Factor Analysis, Holt Rinehart Winston, London."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chong, S.C. (2006), \u201cKM critical success factors: a comparison of perceived importance versus implementation in Malaysian ICT companies\u201d, The Learning Organisation, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 230\u201056.","DOI":"10.1108\/09696470610661108"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chong, S.C. and Lin, B. (2008), \u201cExploring KM issues and KM performance outcomes: empirical evidence from Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor companies\u201d, International Journal of Technology Management, Vol. 43 No. 4, pp. 285\u2010303.","DOI":"10.1504\/IJTM.2008.020552"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chou, T.T., Vassar, J.A. and Lin, B. (2008), \u201cKnowledge management via ontology development in accounting\u201d, Kybernetes: The international journal of cybernetics systems and management sciences, Vol. 37 No. 1, pp. 36\u201048.","DOI":"10.1108\/03684920810850970"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Davis, F.D. (1989), \u201cPerceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology\u201d, MIS Quarterly, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 319\u201039.","DOI":"10.2307\/249008"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b20","unstructured":"Economic Planning Unit (2001), Eighth Malaysian Plan 2001\u20102005, EPU Publication and Distribution, Putrajaya."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b21","unstructured":"Ernst & Young (2001), \u201cAdvancing with e\u2010commerce\u201d, available at: www.noie.gov.au."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fillis, I., Johannson, U. and Wagner, B. (2004), \u201cFactor impacting on e\u2010business adoption and development in the smaller firm\u201d, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 78\u2010191.","DOI":"10.1108\/13552550410536762"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gibbs, J.L. and Kraemer, K.L. (2004), \u201cA cross\u2010country investigation of the determinants of scope of e\u2010commerce use: an institutional approach\u201d, Electronic Markets, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 124\u201037.","DOI":"10.1080\/10196780410001675077"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b24","unstructured":"Hair, J.F., Anderson, R.E., Tatham, R.L. and Black, W.C. (1995), Multivariate Data Analysis, Prentice Hall International Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hao, X.M. and Chow, S.K. (2004), \u201cFactors affecting internet development: an Asian survey\u201d, First Monday, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 1\u201021.","DOI":"10.5210\/fm.v9i2.1118"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b26","unstructured":"Hill, C.W.L. and Jones, G.R. (2001), Strategic Management \u2013 An Integrated Approach, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hoi, J.Y.Y., Shim, J.P. and Yin, A.K.L. (2003), \u201cCurrent progress of e\u2010commerce adoption: small and medium enterprises in Hong Kong\u201d, Communications of the ACM, Vol. 46 No. 9, pp. 226\u201032.","DOI":"10.1145\/903893.903941"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hsieh, C.T., Jones, C. and Lin, B. (2008), \u201cThe new business potential with mobile commerce\u201d, International Journal of Mobile Communications, Vol. 6 No. 4, pp. 436\u201055.","DOI":"10.1504\/IJMC.2008.018052"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b29","unstructured":"Hussin, H. and Noor, R.M. (2005), \u201cInnovating business through e\u2010commerce: explore the willingness of Malaysian SMEs\u201d, Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Innovations in Information Technology, Dubai, UAE."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"James, J. (2003), \u201cSustainable internet access for the rural poor? Elements of an emerging Indian model\u201d, Futures, Vol. 35 No. 5, pp. 76\u201088.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0016-3287(02)00092-7"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kendall, J.D., Tung, L., Chua, K., Ng, D. and Tan, S. (2001), \u201cReceptivity of Singapore's SMEs to electronic commerce adoption\u201d, Journal of Strategic Information Systems, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 223\u201042.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0963-8687(01)00048-8"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b32","unstructured":"Kleinbaum, D.G., Kupper, L.L. and Muller, K.E. (1988), Applied Regression Analysis and Other Multivariate Methods, Duxbury Press, Belmont, CA."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b33","unstructured":"Kogilah, N., Santhapparaj, A.S. and Eze, U.C. (2008), \u201cAn empirical study of website adoption among small and medium enterprises in Malaysia\u201d, Proceedings of the 10th International Business Information Management Association (IBIMA) Conference on Innovation and Knowledge Management in Business Globalisation, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 339\u201051."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Koong, K.S., Liu, L.C., Bai, S. and Lin, B. (2008), \u201cIdentity theft in the USA: evidence from 2002 to 2006\u201d, International Journal of Mobile Communications, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 199\u2010216.","DOI":"10.1504\/IJMC.2008.016577"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kumbakara, N. (2008), \u201cManaged IT services: the role of IT standards\u201d, Information Management & Computer Security, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 336\u201059.","DOI":"10.1108\/09685220810908778"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lettieri, E. and Masella, C. (2006), \u201cMeasuring the value and sustainability of internet\u2010based ICTs in healthcare organizations\u201d, International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, Vol. 7 Nos 3\/4, pp. 319\u201032.","DOI":"10.1504\/IJHTM.2006.008439"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b37","unstructured":"Light, D.A. (2001), \u201cSure, you can trust us\u201d, Sloan Management Review, Vol. 43 No. 1, pp. 17\u201018."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Limthongchai, P. and Speece, M.W. (2003), \u201cThe effect of perceived characteristics of innovation on e\u2010commerce adoption by SMEs in Thailand\u201d, Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Global Business and Economic Development, Bangkok, Thailand.","DOI":"10.2139\/ssrn.2565392"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lucchetti, R. and Sterlacchini, A. (2004), \u201cThe adoption of ICT among SMEs: evidence from an Italian survey\u201d, Small Business Economics, Vol. 23, pp. 151\u201068.","DOI":"10.1023\/B:SBEJ.0000027667.55821.53"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b40","unstructured":"Malhotra, N.K. (2004), Marketing Research: An Applied Orientation, Prentice\u2010Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b41","unstructured":"National SME Council Secretariat (2005), Definitions for Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia, National SME Council Secretariat, Bank Negara Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b42","unstructured":"Norman, G.R. and Streiner, D.L. (1994), Biostatistics: The Bare Essentials, Mosby, St Louis, MO."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b43","unstructured":"Nunnally, J.C. (1978), Psychometric Theory, McGraw\u2010Hill, New York, NY."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b44","unstructured":"Ong, J.W. and Hishamuddin, I. (2008), \u201cSustainable competitive advantage through information technology competence: resource\u2010based view on small and medium enterprises\u201d, Proceedings of the 10th International Business Information Management Association (IBIMA) Conference on Innovation and Knowledge Management in Business Globalisation, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 57\u201065."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b45","unstructured":"Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (2000), Information Technology Outlook 2000: ICTs, E\u2010Commerce and the Information Economy, OECD, Paris."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b46","unstructured":"Ratnasingam, P. (2001), \u201cElectronic commerce adoption in Australia and New Zealand\u201d, Malaysia Journal of Computer Sciences, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 223\u201042."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b47","unstructured":"Robert, J. (1998), \u201cSmall business IT hang\u2010ups\u201d, Computer Reseller News, Vol 74 No. 2, pp. 26\u201032."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b48","unstructured":"Rogers, E.M. (1983), Diffusion of Innovations, Free Press, New York, NY."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rose, G., Khoo, H. and Straub, D. (1999), \u201cCurrent technological impediments to business\u2010to\u2010consumer electronic commerce\u201d, Communications of the Association for Information Systems, Vol. 1 No. 16, pp. 1\u201074.","DOI":"10.17705\/1CAIS.00116"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b50","unstructured":"Sekaran, U. (2003), Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach, Wiley, New York, NY."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b51","unstructured":"Singh, M. (2000), \u201cElectronic commerce in Austria: opportunities and factors critical for success\u201d, Proceedings of the 1st World Congress on the Management of Electronic Commerce, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Slyke, C.V., Belanger, F. and Comunale, C.L. (2004a), \u201cFactors influencing the adoption of web\u2010based shopping: the impact of trust\u201d, Database for Advanced in Information Systems, Vol. 35 No. 2, pp. 32\u201049.","DOI":"10.1145\/1007965.1007969"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b54","unstructured":"Slyke, C.V., Belanger, F. and Hightower, R. (2005), \u201cUnderstanding gender\u2010based differences in consumer e\u2010commerce adoption\u201d, Proceedings of the 2005 Southern Association for Information Systems Conference, Savannah, GA."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b52","unstructured":"Slyke, C.V., Lou, H., Belanger, F. and Sridhar, V. (2004b), \u201cThe influence of culture on consumer\u2010oriented electronic commerce adoption\u201d, Proceedings of the 7th Annual Conference of the Southern Association for Information Systems, Savannah, GA."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b59","unstructured":"(The) Star (2008), \u201cSMEs can ride out hard times\u201d, available at: www.thestar.com.my\/news\/story.asp?sec\u2009=\u2009nation&file=%2F2008%2F8%2F18%2Fnation%2F22110974."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Syed, S.A., Ali, K., Hishamuddin, B.I. and Ismail, A. (2005), \u201cPerceived benefits of e\u2010commerce adoption in the electronic manufacturing companies in Malaysia\u201d, Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 188\u201093.","DOI":"10.3844\/jssp.2005.188.193"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b56","unstructured":"Tan, K.S., Chong, S.C. and Uchenna, C.E. (2009), \u201cFactors influencing the adoption of internet\u2010based ICTs: evidence from Malaysian SMEs\u201d, International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development (in press).."},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tan, M. and Teo, T.S.H. (2000), \u201cFactors influencing the adoption of internet banking\u201d, Journal of the Association for Information Systems, Vol. 1 No. 5, pp. 1\u201042.","DOI":"10.17705\/1jais.00005"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Teo, T.S.H. and Pok, S.H. (2003), \u201cAdoption of WAP\u2010enabled mobile phones among internet users\u201d, The International Journal of Management Science, Vol. 31 No. 6, pp. 483\u201098.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.omega.2003.08.005"},{"key":"key2022031720423555100_b60","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wymer, S. and Regan, E. (2005), \u201cFactors influencing e\u2010commerce adoption and use by small and medium businesses\u201d, Electronic Markets, Vol. 15 No. 4, pp. 438\u201053.","DOI":"10.1080\/10196780500303151"}],"container-title":["Industrial Management &amp; Data Systems"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/www.emeraldinsight.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1108\/02635570910930118","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/02635570910930118\/full\/xml","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/02635570910930118\/full\/html","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,24]],"date-time":"2025-07-24T23:38:09Z","timestamp":1753400289000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"http:\/\/www.emerald.com\/imds\/article\/109\/2\/224-244\/182128"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2009,3,13]]},"references-count":60,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2009,3,13]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1108\/02635570910930118"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/02635570910930118","relation":{},"ISSN":["0263-5577"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0263-5577","type":"print"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2009,3,13]]}}}