SMEs Internationalization Through Electronic Commerce: Benefits, Disadvantages, and Barriers

This study explores the benefits, disadvantages, and barriers for the internationalization of regional small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the adoption of electronic commerce (e-commerce). Interviews were conducted with directors of ten Australian regional SMEs for exploring their use of e-commerce in the internationalization process. This led to the identification and validation of benefits, disadvantages, and barriers for the internationalization of regional SMEs with the use of e-commerce. A better understanding of these benefits, disadvantages, and barriers would help e-commerce stakeholders develop appropriate strategies and policies for driving the adoption of e-commerce for the internationalization of regional SMEs.