This study investigates the interplay between technological, organizational and environmental factors driving e-commerce usage and how this usage impacts performance in Pakistani manufacturing SMEs. The study also explores whether top management support strengthens performance outcomes.
We apply partial least squares structural equation modeling to test direct, mediating and moderating hypotheses in a robust model framework. Data were collected from 364 manufacturing SMEs.
The results show that technological and organizational factors significantly drive the use of e-commerce, while environmental factors have weaker effects. E-commerce adoption partially mediates the relationship between adoption drivers and firm performance. Top management support positively moderates the relationship between e-commerce usage and firm performance.
The results are based on a cross-sectional sample limited to manufacturing SMEs in Pakistan.
The study provides SME managers and policymakers with evidence on how technological readiness and top management support positively impact e-commerce adoption and firm performance.
This study uniquely integrates the TOE, DOI and RBV frameworks to explore the mediating and moderating mechanisms in the relationship between e-commerce adoption and firm performance among manufacturing SMEs.
