Factors Influencing e-Commerce Adoption among Sri Lankan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): An Empirical Study Using the Technology-Organization-Environment Framework

I. P. K. Dilki Madushani(1), H. M. Malinda Nayanajith Herath(2),


(1) University of Kelaniya
(2) University of Kelaniya
Corresponding Author

Abstract


This study examines the factors influencing e-commerce adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among registered SMEs across all 25 districts of Sri Lanka. From 220 distributed questionnaires, 155 valid responses were obtained and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The model explained 57.0% of the variance in e-commerce adoption. Competitive pressure, top management attitude, and perceived complexity significantly influence e-commerce adoption, while perceived benefits and government support are not significant predictors. SME e-commerce adoption in Sri Lanka is driven mainly by competitive dynamics and managerial commitment rather than perceived benefits or institutional support.

Keywords


Competitive pressure; e-commerce adoption; Industry; TOE framework; Top management attitude.

References


Rahajeng, T.M.P., Nuraeni, R., Wulandari, S.P., and Soegoto, E.S. (2022). Application of accurate software accounting information system for decision making in macro, small and medium enterprises. ASEAN Journal of Economic and Economic Education, 1(1), 9-18.

Oliveira, T., and Martins, M. F. (2011). Literature review of information technology adoption models at firm level. Electronic Journal of Information Systems Evaluation, 14(1), 110-121.

Awa, H. O., Ojiabo, O. U., and Orokor, L. E. (2017). Integrated Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) taxonomies for technology adoption. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 30(6), 893-921.

Fonseka, K., Jaharadak, A. A., Raman, M., and Tham, J. (2021). Determinants affecting the adoption of e-commerce and its impact on organisational performance of SMEs in Sri Lanka. Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, 9(4), 23-43.

Fonseka, K., Jaharadak, A. A., and Raman, M. (2022). Impact of e-commerce adoption on business performance of SMEs in Sri Lanka: Moderating role of artificial intelligence. International Journal of Social Economics, 49(10), 1518-1531.

Ismail, A. F., Tean, W. S., Sam, M. F. M., and Pei, C. S. (2017). E-commerce adoption among retailing Malaysia’s SMEs in perspective of technological-organizational-environmental (TOE) framework. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 2, 21-32.

Makame, W. H., Kang, J., and Park, S. (2014). Factors influencing electronic commerce adoption in developing countries: The case of Tanzania. South African Journal of Business Management, 45(2), 83-96.

Setiyani, L., and Rostiani, Y. (2021). Analysis of e-commerce adoption by SMEs using the technology-organization-environment (TOE) model: A case study in Karawang, Indonesia. International Journal of Science, Technology and Management, 2(4), 1113-1122.

Ueasathapornkit, S., and Suesaowaluk, P. (2024). Investigating factors in the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) model that promote small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the food industry to adopt e-commerce. Journal of Suvarnabhumi Institute of Technology (Humanities and Social Sciences), 10(1), 244-256.

Damayanti, F.N., Kusmawati, P.Navia, V., Luckyardi, S. (2022). Readiness the owner of small medium enterprises for digital financial records in society 5.0 Era. ASEAN Journal of Economic and Economic Education, 1(1), 1-8.

Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319-340.

Gibbs, J. L., and Kraemer, K. L. (2004). A cross-country investigation of the determinants of scope of e-commerce use. Electronic Markets, 14(2), 124-137.

Alaskar, T. H., and Alsadi, A. K. (2023). Drivers of mobile commerce adoption intention by Saudi SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future Business Journal, 9(1), 12.

Ortiz-Chávez, M. A., Mendoza-Pumapillo, J. E., Dilas-Jiménez, J. O., and Mugruza-Vassallo, C. A. (2024). E-commerce of Peruvian SMEs: Determinants of internet sales before and during COVID-19. Heliyon, 10(23), e40331.

Salah, O. H., and Ayyash, M. M. (2024). E-commerce adoption by SMEs and its effect on marketing performance. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 10(1), 100183.

Loo, M. K., Ramachandran, S., and Raja Yusof, R. N. (2025). Systematic review of factors and barriers influencing e-commerce adoption among SMEs over the last decade: A TOE framework perspective. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 16(2), 9624-9648.

Scupola, A. (2009). SMEs’ e-commerce adoption: Perspectives from Denmark and Australia. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 22(1/2), 152-166.

Teo, T. S., and Pian, Y. (2003). A contingency perspective on internet adoption and competitive advantage. European Journal of Information Systems, 12(2), 78-92.

Soomro, R. B., Al-Rahmi, W. M., Dahri, N. A., Almuqren, L., Al-Mogren, A. S., and Aldaijy, A. (2025). A SEM-ANN analysis to examine impact of artificial intelligence technologies on sustainable performance of SMEs. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 5438.

Thong, J. Y. (1999). An integrated model of information systems adoption in small businesses. Journal of Management Information Systems, 15(4), 187-214.

Lina, L. F., and Suwarni, E. (2022). Social commerce adoption to enhance SMEs performance: Technology, organization and environment (TOE) perspectives. Jurnal Aplikasi Bisnis dan Manajemen, 8(3), 689-696.

Mkansi, M., and Nsakanda, A. L. (2025). Mobile application e-grocery retail adoption challenges and coping strategies: A South African small and medium enterprises’ perspective. Electronic Commerce Research, 25(1), 419-464.

Indiani, N. L. P., Keshminder, J. S., Wiratama, N. I., and Amertha, G. S. (2025). Unlocking e-commerce potential in SMEs: An integrative framework for adoption in emerging markets. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 1-16.

DiMaggio, P. J., and Powell, W. W. (1983). The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organisational fields. American Sociological Review, 48(2), 147-160.

Hasani, T., O’Reilly, N., Dehghantanha, A., Rezania, D., and Levallet, N. (2023). Evaluating the adoption of cybersecurity and its influence on organizational performance. SN Business and Economics, 3(5), 97.

Ocloo, C. E., Xuhua, H., Akaba, S., Shi, J., and Worwui-Brown, D. K. (2020). The determinant factors of B2B e-commerce adoption in small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. Journal of Global Information Technology Management, 23(3), 191-216.

Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., and Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2-24.


Full Text: PDF

Article Metrics

Abstract View : 1 times
PDF Download : 2 times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Bumi Publikasi Nusantara

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.