Challenges to the Adoption of E-commerce Technology for Supply Chain Management in a Developing Economy: : A Focus on Nigerian SMEs

The evolution of Information Technology has enhanced consumers and organisations’ ability to gather information along with purchasing goods and services. Information Technology offers businesses increased competition, lower prices of goods and services, the choice of comparing products from different vendors and easy access to various vendors anywhere, anytime. Therefore, Information Technology facilitates the global nature of commerce. In developing countries, commerce dominates their economic activities. Commerce is one of the leading non-oil sectors in Nigeria, 18.9 per cent GDP. In contrast with developed nations, e-commerce has not been as successfully adopted in developing countries. This chapter addresses the challenges and benefits of e-commerce technology in relation to SMEs in Nigeria. It presents quantitative evidence of SMEs perceptions of e-
commerce technology, benefits, and barriers. A number of hypotheses are presented and assessed. Recommendations to mitigate barriers are suggested.